Surge in opioid overdoses cuts life expectancy for the second year in a row
The data suggests the epidemic, which has already ravaged countless communities, is becoming even deadlier. Reports have chronicled how potent synthetics such as fentanyl are becoming more common — and more dangerous.
“It’s a problem across the board, and we’re seeing increases from all groups,” Anderson said. “People of all walks of life are dying from this.” If drug overdoses continue to increase this year, life expectancy could decrease again. If that happens, it would be the first time since the Spanish flu swept through the country a century ago, Anderson said. “It’s almost an unprecedented decline in life expectancy,” he said. “Three years in a row should raise concerns about the health of our nation.” -Robert Anderson, chief of the National Center for Health Statistics’ mortality statistics branch.
Original Article (CNBC):
‘Surge in opioid overdoses cuts life expectancy for the second year in a row
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