Texas Public Health Statistics

In 2024, Texas recorded 5,028 drug overdose deaths, an age-adjusted rate of 15.8 per 100,000 residents. This ranks Texas #44 of 50 among states for overdose death rate (highest to lowest). Opioids were involved in 2,415 deaths (48%). Synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) accounted for 1,870 deaths.

Drug categories are not mutually exclusive — a single death can involve multiple substances. For example, a death involving both fentanyl and cocaine would be counted in both the synthetic opioid and cocaine totals. In Texas, synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) were involved in 37% of all overdose deaths in 2024. Psychostimulants (primarily methamphetamine) were involved in 43% of deaths.

In 2022, Texas reported a chlamydia rate of 525.4 per 100,000 (155,780 total cases), a gonorrhea rate of 173.8 per 100,000 (51,534 cases), and a primary & secondary syphilis rate of 19.70 per 100,000. Texas ranks #17 of 50 states for chlamydia rate (highest to lowest). There were 547 reported cases of congenital syphilis.

In 2021, Texas reported 56,620 abortions, a rate of 9.6 per 1,000 women aged 15–44. The abortion ratio was 14.8 per 1,000 live births. These figures are based on data reported to the CDC by state health departments. California, Maryland, and New Hampshire do not report to the CDC, so national totals are underestimates.