MMWR: Unintentional Poisoning Deaths

On February 9th, 2007, the CDC released a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on Unintentional Poisoning Deaths in the United States from 1999-2004. In this 5 year span, the study analyzed and tracked data collected from the National Vital Statistics System. The report determined that from 1999-2004, the mortality poisoning rate increased by 62.5%. The largest increase was seen among females (103%), whites (75.8%), persons living in the southern United States (113.6%) and persons aged 15-24 (113.3%)

The data indicated that the primary increase in the number of deaths were associated with prescription opiod analgesics (oxycodone) and secondly to overdoses in cocaine and prescription psychotherapeutic drugs (sedatives).

The report urges strengthening regulatory measures to reduce unsafe use of drugs, and for state and federal agencies to set up prescription-monitoring programs to identify and stop prescription drug abuse.

To read the MMWR article, click here.