Home > News > Data & Research > Study: West Virginia Ranks 4th in U. S. for Increase in Overdose Deaths Study: West Virginia Ranks 4th in U. S. for Increase in Overdose Deaths West Virginia ranks fourth in the nation for the largest increase in overdose deaths, according to a new study by the Commonwealth Fund. The study found that West Virginia had a 37% increase in overdose deaths from 2017 to 2018, with 815 overdose deaths reported during that time period. This is compared to a 21% increase in overdose deaths nationally. The study also found that West Virginia has the highest rate of drug overdose deaths among all states, with 35. 5 deaths per 100,000 people. “This crisis is not just a public health issue, it’s a humanitarian crisis,” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, vice president of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Bloomberg Philanthropies, which funded the study. “We need to take bold action to address this problem and make sure that everyone has access to the care they need.

''