Moving On Down: The Rate of Drug Overdoses In Florida Are Getting Lower

Results from a new study suggests that Florida has seen a significant decrease in the amount of injury-related deaths such as drug overdoses, car crashes, and homicides. Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, and Maine were the only states that have seen reductions in drug deaths since 2009, according to the State-by-State Injury Prevention Policy Report.

According to the report, Florida ranks 29th in the nation for preventable injuries, while West Virginia holds the worst rate at 97.9 per 100,00 people. New York had the lowest rate, 40.3 per 100,000. The report found that Florida’s overall rates of injury deaths declined between 2007-2009 and 2011-2013 reporting periods from 66.8 per 100,00 to 61.3 per 100,000.

According to News-Press, Jeffrey Levi, executive director of the Trust for America’s Health, says he’s unsure what’s causing the decrease, however he suspects it can be attributed to the state cracking down on doctors who inappropriately prescribe addictive painkillers.

Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of U.S. injury deaths, the report says. About half of the drug overdoses which occurred are related to prescription drugs. According to the report prescription drug overdoses have more than doubled within the past 14 years.

In spite of injury-related deaths decreasing, fall-related deaths have been rising since 2009. The high incidence of fall-related deaths can be attributed to Florida’s disproportionate older population. Lee Memorial Health System reported last fall that its four hospitals‘ emergency departments treated about 18,00 patients for fall-related injuries in the previous two years.

In conclusion, the report suggests that there should be more spending on injury prevention, however funds should not be diverted from other essential prevention programs for traffic accidents, drownings, and mental health. Public health leaders have prioritized working to prevent such injuries and focusing several of their campaigns on preventing injuries.

 

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The post Moving On Down: The Rate of Drug Overdoses In Florida Are Getting Lower appeared first on Harbor Village Florida.

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