deaths of despair.

A term for a drug-related death, whether a premeditated suicide or accidental overdose.

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Deaths of despair have plagued the Appalachian region in particular, with some of the highest drug overdose death rates in the nation.

How do deaths of despair vary within Appalachia? And how do they change relative to the poverty rate or opportunities for social engagement?

Use this map to explore how deaths of despair relate to poverty and social associations in Appalachia. Click on the buttons below to look closer at two narratives in this region.

DASHBOARD
Filter the variables and hover over dots for variable definitons.
Drug Overdose Death Rate
Poverty Rate
Social Association Rate

County:

DRUG OVERDOSE DEATH RATE:



POVERTY RATE:



SOCIAL ASSOCIATION RATE:

Appalachian Average % Above % Below