Send a textIn this episode, Safe States Executive Director Sharon Gilmartin is the guest host and talks with Allison Arwady, Director of the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. To kick off the conversation, Dr. Arwady shares that the CDC has recently released 2024 provisional drug overdose death data that highlights a nearly 27% decrease in predicted deaths from the previous year's data and is seen in 48 states nationwide. Dr. Arwady credits changes in drug use, public health investments, and interventions along with community coordination and collaboration in the successful effort to reduce deaths from drug overdoses. During their conversation, they also discuss public health infrastructure, prevention strategies, and the role the CDC's Injury Center plays in these including the importance of the programs they offer.