Prescription Painkiller Overdoses | CDC Vital Signs

Nearly 48,000 women died of prescription painkiller overdoses between 1999 and 2010.

Deaths from prescription painkiller overdoses among women have increased more than 400% since 1999, compared to 265% among men.

For every woman who dies of a prescription painkiller overdose, 30 go to the emergency department for painkiller misuse or abuse.

About 18 women die every day of a prescription painkiller overdose in the US, more than 6,600 deaths in 2010. Prescription painkiller overdoses are an under-recognized and growing problem for women.

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