According to a new report, drug overdoses are the leading cause of injury deaths in the United States, at nearly 44,000 per year. These deaths have more than doubled in the past 14 years, and half of them are related to prescription drugs (22,000 per year). Overdose deaths now exceed motor vehicle-related deaths in 36 states and Washington, D.C.
The Facts Hurt: A State-By-State Injury Prevention Policy Report released June 17 said that in the past four years, drug overdose death rates have significantly increased in 26 states and Washington, D.C. and decreased in six.
The Facts Hurt report, from the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), also includes a report card of 10 key indicators of leading evidence-based strategies that help reduce injuries and violence.
More than 2 million Americans misuse prescription drugs, the report said. The prescription drug epidemic is also contributing to an increase in heroin use; the number of new heroin users has doubled in the past seven years.
If you are suffering from aches and pains, why not try all-natural chiropractic care before resorting to prescription drugs or surgery? Call our office today at 425-778-9600 for an appointment.