Jacksonville, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) has been selected as a recipient of a $2.55 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program. The grant represents a transformative opportunity to bolster ongoing efforts in combatting the overdose crisis in Northeast Florida and reducing overdose-related deaths.

The CDC’s OD2A program plays a vital role in advancing the nation’s response to the opioid epidemic. The program supports funded jurisdictions to implement prevention activities and to collect accurate, comprehensive and timely data on nonfatal and fatal overdoses. This data is used to enhance programs and surveillance efforts. With this grant, DOH-Duval will be able to respond more quickly, effectively and impartially to residents’ needs, using data to drive action to reduce overdose deaths and related harms.

“We are thrilled to award this grant to the Florida Department of Health in Duval County and support their continued effort to prevent drug overdose and improve the lives of residents,” said CDC Division of Overdose Prevention Director Grant Baldwin, PhD, MPH. “Through the OD2A program, the CDC is empowering jurisdictions with the necessary tools and resources to collect, analyze and use data to inform prevention activities that make a significant impact in communities.”

“The Florida Department of Health in Duval County continues to be grateful for the support of and partnership with the CDC,” said DOH-Duval Health Officer Antonio Nichols. “We are proud to share this mission and effort to prevent overdoses and protect the well-being of our Northeast Florida community. This grant will make a lasting impact and provide hope to those affected by substance use disorders.”

OD2A Program Goals 

• Decrease addiction and drug overdose deaths, including prescription and illicit drug overdose death rates by informing the public about prevention resources.
• Decrease rate of substance misuse and addiction.
• Decrease rate of emergency department visits due to overdose.
• Support our medical community by supplying evidence-based treatment information for substance use disorder and patient targeted informational materials.

More information about OD2A can be found here.

About the Department of Health 

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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