Prescription Painkiller Overdose Deaths Increased Among Women, CDC Reports

Why it matters locally: As the CDC is headquartered in Atlanta, this report provides a concerning look into public health trends occurring within the state and nationally, and could inform local health initiatives and resource allocation strategies. Georgia's healthcare providers and public health officials may use this data to better address prescription painkiller misuse among women in the state.

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Atlanta -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Vital Signs report today detailing a marked increase in prescription painkiller overdose deaths among women. According to the report, this type of fatality increased five-fold between 1999 and 2010. The CDC's Vital Signs report tracks health trends in the United States. This particular report focused on mortality data related to prescription painkiller overdoses, specifically examining the trends affecting women. The findings indicate a substantial escalation in the rate of deaths attributed to these overdoses within the studied timeframe. The report did not elaborate on the underlying causes for the increase, but the data reveals a noteworthy change in mortality patterns related to prescription painkiller usage among women. Further information is available from the CDC.