An analysis conducted by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed that individuals working in manual labor jobs are at the highest risk of dying from drug overdoses. The analysis examined over 60,000 drug-related deaths across the United States in 2020. It found that construction and extraction workers, including builders, roofers, and oil workers, faced a rate of 163 illicit and prescription drug overdoses per 100,000 people. One contributing factor for this high rate is that these workers often experience injuries or chronic pain, leading to a potential addiction to opioids when using them as a means of managing their conditions.
The analysis also identified restaurant and food service workers, such as waiters, bar staff, and chefs, as the second most likely group to die from illicit drug use. These workers faced a rate of 118 overdoses per 100,000 people, attributed to potential job insecurity. The lack of stability in their occupations can contribute to higher rates of drug use.
Further examination of different occupations revealed that personal care service workers, including hairdressers, fitness instructors, and manicurists, faced the third highest rate of drug overdose deaths, with 74 per 100,000 people. On the other end of the spectrum, teachers, computer specialists, and individuals employed in business and financial operations were found to be the least likely to die from illicit substance use.
The analysis, published in the National Vital Statistics Reports, utilized data from the National Vital Statistics System to examine deaths caused by illicit drug use in correlation with occupation. In 2020, approximately 90,000 people in the US died from overdoses, a number that surged to a record high of 109,000 in 2022. Despite considerable efforts in prevention, experts warn that fatalities could reach another record in 2023. The rise in fatalities is partially attributed to the presence of fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid found in drugs in even minuscule quantities. The COVID-19 pandemic has also been identified as a contributing factor due to increased isolation, the experience of loss, and job insecurity.
The study included individuals between the ages of 16 and 64 from 46 states and New York City. Death certificates were analyzed to determine causes of death and occupation. The death rate per 100,000 for each occupation was calculated by dividing overdose deaths by the estimated number of people employed in the field. The results were adjusted for age to facilitate accurate comparisons between occupational groups. Overall, the researchers found an average of 42 illicit drug-related deaths per 100,000 people. However, among construction workers, the rate was nearly four times higher at 162 deaths per 100,000.
The CDC issued a warning about the disproportionate impact of the ongoing drug overdose crisis on specific sectors of the US workforce. While the specific drugs involved in the deaths were not disclosed in this report, past reports have indicated that fentanyl plays a significant role in drug overdoses.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
