Drug Abuse-Related Mortality in the United States: Patterns and Correlates

Abstract

This study examines the sociodemographic determinants of psychoactive drug–related mortality in the United States, using data from the National Health Interview Survey (1987–1990 combined) linked with National Death Index data (deaths through 1991). Proportional hazards models are used to estimate the gross and net effects of age, sex, race, marital status, education, income, employment status, and health status on the risk of drug-related mortality. Results show that age, sex, and race (the main breakdowns in previous studies), as well as marital status, income, and health status have significant net effects on the risk of drug-related mortality.