Latest news with #DeanSidelinger
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oregon overdose deaths have gone down, but they're still high
While strengthened substance use treatment infrastructure, naloxone distribution and changes in the national fentanyl supply are contributing to the decrease in overdose deaths, Oregon's overdose deaths rates are still too high, Oregon Public Health state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Overdose deaths in Oregon went down 22% in 2024, the Oregon Health Authority announced on Friday. The decrease in overdose deaths follows a nationwide trend of declining overdose deaths. In 2024, there were about 80,400 drug overdose deaths in the country — 26.9% fewer than the 110,000 overdose deaths in 2023, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While strengthened substance use treatment infrastructure, naloxone distribution and education, prevention programs and changes in fentanyl supply are contributing to the decrease in overdose deaths, Oregon's overdose deaths rates are still too high, Oregon Public Health state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said in a news release. Substance use and overdose deaths remain a public health crisis in Oregon. The 1,480 overdose deaths in Oregon in 2024 were still more than overdose deaths rates during the pre-pandemic years. 'We must continue to work together to keep people safe and build treatment and recovery support for people struggling with substance use disorder,' Sidelinger said. The state of Oregon aims to decrease overdose death rates by investing in: Save Lives Oregon Harm Reduction Clearinghouse: This program is working to respond to the fentanyl crisis. It provides more than 360 agencies and organizations in Oregon with no-cost naloxone, infection prevention and wound care kits. Opioid treatment programs: There are 27 opioid treatment programs in Oregon, two medication units and four mobile units. Oregon also expanded telehealth for medications for opioid use disorder. Increasing residential treatment capacity: The state of Oregon is developing 260 beds dedicated to substance use disorder services and 41 beds dedicated to withdrawal management. Peer support systems: Under these programs, individuals in Oregon struggling with substance use receive support, guidance and encouragement from individuals who have experience with recovery. Behavioral Health Regional Networks: Funded through cannabis tax revenue and the Drug Treatment and Recovery Services Funds which accounted for $414 million between 2022-2025, these networks provide screening and assessment, harm reduction, housing, substance use disorder treatment and employment services. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oregon Health Authority urges flu vaccines amid worst flu season in years
PORTLAND, Ore. () – Oregon is seeing its worst flu activity since the Oregon Health Authority began tracking the virus 15 years ago, leading state health officials to encourage Oregonians to get their flu shots. On Thursday, the Oregon Health Authority announced 'significant influenza activity' in the state, noting Oregonians are continuing to be hospitalized during the time of the year when statewide flu activity starts winding down. OHA is encouraging Oregonians to get vaccinated against the virus, especially as the state could see a late-season uptick in flu cases, which the state has seen in recent years. Downtown Portland sees open-air drug market resurgence after return of can redemptions 'This has been a year of very high flu activity,' said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA. 'We want to remind people that there is still a lot of flu out there and to get their flu shots. Spread of flu can be unpredictable, and we often see another peak late in winter.' According to OHA data, fewer people are getting flu shots, with vaccinations down 4% from 2024, and has been steadily dropping since 2022. As of March 1, more than 1.2 million Oregonians have received a flu vaccine this flu season. 'We would like 100% of people to be vaccinated to prevent the risk of severe disease, but we've seen the vaccination rate slip,' said Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA's Public Health Division. Stretch of Historic Columbia River Highway closed indefinitely The influenza virus causes a contagious, respiratory tract infection with symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy and runny nose, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue, OHA said – adding that the virus can cause severe illness leading to hospitalization and death. Some groups, such as older adults, young children, pregnant people and people with certain health conditions are at a higher risk for serious complications from the flu, health officials said. Rates for hospitalization are the highest for people who are 65 years old and older. According to OHA, the 2024-25 flu season has seen nearly 1,600 hospitalizations for flu across Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
