A recent study by Northwestern Medicine published in JAMA reports that opioid testing information was missing in 51% of injury death investigations in the U.S. in 2021. This lack of data could lead to underestimating opioid-related mortality, underscoring the importance of comprehensive medicolegal investigations. The analysis utilized data from the National Violent Death Reporting System and the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System, revealing significant inconsistencies across different death categories, thus highlighting the urgency for improved drug testing methods.
In 2021, opioid testing information was missing in half of U.S. injury death investigations, raising concerns about undermeasurement of opioid-related fatalities.
The study highlights a significant gap in medicolegal death investigations, which are crucial for tracking opioid-related mortality and public health responses.
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