This is the “longest sustained decline” in life expectancy in a century. The life expectancy of Americans has declined for the third year in a row, according to 2016-2017 data. Rising drug overdose deaths and suicide are to blame, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As the Washington Post stated, this marks… Continue reading Opioids, Suicide Push Life Expectancy Down Again In The US
Tag: opioid use disorder
Drug-Related Deaths Plunge In Ohio: How They Did It
The fading presence of carfentanil may have played a major role in the decline of drug-related deaths in some parts of Ohio. Overdose deaths in Montgomery County—in Dayton, Ohio—have dramatically decreased in 2018. The county has seen an incredible 54% decline in overdose deaths: there were 548 by November 30 last year; this year there… Continue reading Drug-Related Deaths Plunge In Ohio: How They Did It
New York's Opioid Prescription Monitoring System Needs Improvement
The newly re-elected State Comptroller has found some major issues with the opioid prescription monitoring system. An audit of the New York State opioid prescription monitoring database found that patients in treatment for opioid dependency may have received potentially dangerous opioid prescriptions outside of their treatment programs. Newly re-elected State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli issued a… Continue reading New York's Opioid Prescription Monitoring System Needs Improvement
Opioid 10 Times Stonger Than Fentanyl Approved By FDA Amid Controversy
“It is certain that Dsuvia will worsen the opioid epidemic and kill people needlessly,” said one critical health expert. Amid controversy and despite warnings from some in the medical community, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week green-lit a new opioid called Dsuvia, a drug estimated to be 10 times as strong as fentanyl. … Continue reading Opioid 10 Times Stonger Than Fentanyl Approved By FDA Amid Controversy
Births Affected By Opioids Continue To Rise Among Rural Women
“More than 60% of rural moms with opioid use disorder give birth locally. These rural hospitals may have more limited capacity to care for them and their babies.” The opioid epidemic has meant that more rural moms and babies are affected by drug abuse, often requiring specialized care at hospitals that are located far from… Continue reading Births Affected By Opioids Continue To Rise Among Rural Women
One Washington County Is Treating The Opioid Crisis As A Natural Disaster
What if the government used the natural disaster coordinated system to mitigate the opioid epidemic? In Snohomish County in Western Washington, officials are taking a unique approach to the opioid crisis by declaring it a life-threatening emergency, as if it were a natural disaster. As overdose deaths are threatening more lives than hurricanes and mud… Continue reading One Washington County Is Treating The Opioid Crisis As A Natural Disaster
Does Opioid Abuse Play A Role In Breast Cancer Deaths In Appalachia?
One expert believes that opioid use disorder is connected to the high rates of breast cancer deaths in the region. Women in Appalachia—especially West Virginia and Kentucky—have higher mortality rates from breast cancer than their counterparts around the country, and one researcher says that opioid abuse might be to blame. In an essay for The… Continue reading Does Opioid Abuse Play A Role In Breast Cancer Deaths In Appalachia?
"Heroin Spoon" Art Exhibit Re-Emerges In Boston
The artwork was placed as a “gift” to Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey outside of the State House. The massive, 800-pound “heroin spoon” sculpture has re-emerged. This past June, the guerrilla art exhibit sat in front of Purdue Pharma headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, for about two hours before it was hauled away by city workers.… Continue reading "Heroin Spoon" Art Exhibit Re-Emerges In Boston
County Pays Millions Over Teen’s Heroin Withdrawal Death In Jail
“Anyone who looked at her would have known that she was very sick and that she needed attention,” said the family’s lawyer. A Pennsylvania county has agreed to pay nearly $5 million as part of a settlement in the case of a teenager who died in jail after guards ignored her worsening medical condition during… Continue reading County Pays Millions Over Teen’s Heroin Withdrawal Death In Jail
Opioid Addiction Rates Higher Than Expected In Massachusetts, Study Says
Nearly 5% of Massachusetts residents may be battling opioid use disorder, according to a new study. Health officials in Massachusetts are expressing concern over the results of a new study, which suggests that more residents are struggling with opioid use disorder than previous research had suggested. Using information culled from a database for public health information,… Continue reading Opioid Addiction Rates Higher Than Expected In Massachusetts, Study Says