American drug overdose death rates the highest among wealthy nations, USC study finds

21-FEB-2019

The study is the first to show the drug overdose epidemic is contributing to the widening gap in life expectancy between the United States and other high-income countries

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

In the most comprehensive international comparison of its kind, a USC study found that the United States has the highest drug overdose death rates among a set of high-income countries.

Drug overdose mortality has reached unprecedented levels in the United States, more than tripling over the past two decades. But is this a uniquely American epidemic, or are other high-income counties facing a similar crisis?

"The United States is experiencing a drug overdose epidemic of unprecedented magnitude, not only judging by its own history but also compared to the experiences of other high-income countries," said study author Jessica Ho, assistant professor at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. "For over a decade now, the United States has had the highest drug overdose mortality among its peer countries."

The study, published February 21 in Population and Development Review, found that drug overdose death rates in the United States are 3.5 times higher on average when compared to 17 other high-income counties. The study is the first to demonstrate that the drug overdose epidemic is contributing to the widening gap in life expectancy between the United States and other high-income countries.

More:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-02/uosc-ado021919.php