Suburban drug overdoses fuel spike in premature death rate

Premature deaths among those aged 25-44 were way up in 2015, due in large part to a surge of drug overdoses in suburban areas, a report out Wednesday shows.

Drug deaths are also accelerating among 15- to 24-year-olds, but almost three times as many people in this age group died by homicide, suicide or in motor vehicle crashes, according to the new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). A rural and urban divide, along with racial differences, were also evident in the data. Young white adults in rural areas were more likely to die by suicide or overdose, while homicides by firearms were much more common for young black victims.

The report shows "where people live plays a key role in how long and how well they live,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, a physician who is RWJF's CEO.

RWJF's county rankings come just days after efforts to overturn the Affordable Care Act failed in Congress, and some experts say the study underscores the importance of continued health coverage. It also coincides with President Trump's proposed $3 billion reduction in Department of Health and Human Services funding, along with his expected announcement of an opioid epidemic commission to examine funding and policy issues