Two of Washington’s healthiest counties have high overdose rates
Mar 21, 2018, 2:23 PM
Despite the number of overdoses, King County is still considered one of the healthiest counties in Washington state. (File, Associated Press)
(File, Associated Press)
Two of Washington state’s reportedly healthiest counties also have a high rate of drug overdose deaths.
Seattle, King County set new record for overdose deaths
King and Snohomish counties are the second and third healthiest in the state, according to a recent report from County Health Rankings and Roadmaps.
At the same time, King has the highest number of drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people. Snohomish County has the third highest, according to the data.
Pierce County has the second highest rate of overdose deaths. It is ranked as 19th healthiest.
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The data factors in the years 2014 through 2016.
Seattle and King County set a new record for fatal overdoses, with 359 in 2016. More than 60 percent of those involved opioids.
Preliminary numbers from 2016 show a 27 percent increase since 2010. More than 200 people died either fully or at least in part from opioids in 2016.
San Juan County is No. 1 in the overall health ranking of Washington state counties. Jefferson, Thurston, Whatcom, Kitsap, Clark, and Chelan all made the top 10.
You can read the entire report here.
