CDC: Drug overdose rates in rural America surpass rates in cities

Rural America experiences higher rates of opioid overdose deaths compared to the more urban parts of the country, according to the CDC's most recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

For the report, researchers examined information on drug use trends compiled in the National Survey of Drug Use and Health from 2003 to 2014. Researchers also examined data on drug overdose deaths documented in the National Vital Statistics System Mortality from 1999 through 2015.

Analysis revealed a sharp rise in illicit drug use among individuals in both urban and rural America from 2003 to 2014. While drug overdose deaths were higher in urban areas than rural areas in 1999 (6.4 per 100,000 population compared 4.0 per 100,000 population), the two rates converged in 2004. By 2006, the rural rate surpassed the urban rate. In 2015, the rural rate of 17.0 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 population was still slightly higher than the urban rate of 16.2 deaths per 100,000 population.

"The drug overdose death rate in rural areas is higher than in urban areas," said Brenda Fitzgerald, MD, director of the CDC. "We need to understand why this is happening so that our work with states and communities can help stop illicit drug use and overdose deaths in America."

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