Opioid data dashboards
Opioid-related deaths
Hennepin County's opioid-related death definition includes all deaths where any type of opioid (natural, synthetic or in combination) was a cause or contributing cause of death. This data dashboard uses publicly available data, updated annually (current 2023).
Opioid-related deaths of county and state residents data – Power BI dashboard
Opioid-involved hospital and emergency visits
The interactive data dashboard shows substance involved emergency and hospital visits in the 7-county metro area. It uses real-time electronic health record data, updated quarterly.
Substance involved emergency and hospital visits in Hennepin County data – Power BI dashboard
Health trends across communities in Minnesota (HTAC)
The HTAC dashboard displays prevalence estimates for over 30 health conditions (including opioid-use conditions). It uses electronic health record data, updated annually.
HTAC dashboard - external link
Dashboard comparison
The following document helps explain when to use the Substance involved emergency and hospital visits dashboard and when to use the HTAC dashboard:
Substance use-related healthcare / HTAC data comparison - DOCX 1MB
Opioid overdose deaths remain elevated in Hennepin County
Opioid-related deaths decline in Minnesota, but Hennepin County deaths remain elevated.
Source: Minnesota death certificates, MDH. 2022-2023 data are preliminary; Hennepin County geocoded death data, CDC.
Most opioid overdoses involve fentanyl
Fentanyl is a prescription opioid that’s also made and sold illegally. It’s up to 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl is driving recent increases in opioid overdose deaths.
People may not know they’re taking fentanyl because it’s mixed into fake pills and other drugs. Fentanyl can be addictive and deadly, even in small amounts.
Opioid-related deaths involving fentanyl in Hennepin County
Source: Hennepin County geocoded death data, CDC.
Opioid effects are worse for some groups
The opioid epidemic impacts people from all walks of life, but disproportionately affects certain groups.
In Minnesota, American Indian people and African American people experience higher rates of opioid-related deaths and hospitalizations.
These differences are influenced by disparities in the social determinants of health, such as housing, food, healthcare, and economic well-being.
The bigger picture, non-fatal overdoses
Overdose deaths are only a part of the picture. Non-fatal overdoses, hospitalizations, injuries, and trauma are all preventable harms related to the opioid epidemic.
For more information, visit the Minnesota Department of Health's opioid overdose prevention page.