Overdose Data to Action: Utilizing Partnerships and Flexibility to Support Policy Change
October 20, 2025
While the rates of fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States have begun trending downward, there is still a need to implement evidence-based, promising overdose prevention and surveillance policies and programs. State, territorial, and local health departments engage in multifaceted activities to reduce overdose-related harms and support people and communities affected by overdose. Successful policy interventions aimed at reducing overdose often require collaboration among health departments, partner agencies, and community organizations. This report highlights the actions taken by two states — Hawai’i and Iowa — to put engagement and flexibility at the forefront as they pursue policy change to support people and communities impacted by overdose. Learn more about how they leveraged data to promote effective policy in the full report.