Drug-induced deaths - United States, 2003–2007 (2011)

Drug-induced deaths include all deaths for which drugs are the underlying cause, including deaths attributable to acute poisoning by drugs (drug overdoses) and deaths from medical conditions resulting from chronic drug use. A drug includes illicit or street drugs (e.g., heroin or cocaine), as well as legal prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs; alcohol is not included. The majority of deaths are unintentional drug poisoning deaths, with suicidal drug poisoning and drug poisoning of undetermined intent comprising the majority of the remainder. Adverse effects from drugs taken as directed and infections resulting from drug use are not included. In 2007, drug-induced deaths were more common than alcohol-induced or firearm-related deaths in the United States.
To examine trends and assess drug-induced deaths during 2003-2007 in the United States, CDC analyzed data from the mortality component of the National Vital Statistics System. Death certificates provide information on the sex, race, and ethnicity of the decedent; they do not provide information on decedent income. Deaths with underlying causes that are defined as drug induced by CDC are included in the category. Age-adjusted rates were calculated per 100,000 persons on the basis of U.S Census populations with bridged-race categories. Unadjusted rate ratios were calculated to compare 2007 to 2003 rates and to compare nonwhite with white rates. Rates were not compared by geographic region. [Extract]