Sociodemographic factors, prescription history and opioid overdose deaths: a statewide analysis using linked PDMP and mortality data

Drug overdose deaths in the US have been increasing since 1999, with an age-adjusted rate of 6.1 per 100,000 in 1999 and 16.3 per 100,000 in 2015 (Hedegaard et al., 2017; Rudd et al., 2016). Increases in all drug overdose deaths have occurred across all age groups, with the highest rates among ages 45-54 years (Hedegaard et al., 2017). Opioid overdose deaths have also increased, with substantial elevations since 2013 for heroin and synthetic opioids (excluding methadone) regardless of sex, age, and race/ethnicity (Rudd et al., 2016).
Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Full length article Source Type: research