A new brief from the National Center for Health Statistics gives geographic detail on the latest increase in overdose death rates reported last week. Overall, urban counties had higher rates, but eight states – California, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Vermont, and Virginia – had rates that were higher in rural counties. The data showed that, compared to urban counties, female death rates were higher in rural counties and that deaths involving psychostimulants – such as cocaine and methamphetamine – were higher in rural counties.
