Morbidity and mortality attributable to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use in Canada.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study estimated morbidity and mortality attributable to substance abuse in Canada. METHODS: Pooled estimates of relative risk were used to calculate etiologic fractions by age, gender, and province for 91 causes of disease or death attributable to alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs. RESULTS: There were 33,498 deaths and 208,095 hospitalizations attributed to tobacco, 6701 deaths and 86,076 hospitalizations due to alcohol, and 732 deaths and 7095 hospitalizations due to illicit drugs in 1992. CONCLUSIONS: Substance abuse exacts a considerable toll on Canadian society in terms of morbidity and mortality, accounting for 21% of deaths, 23% of years of potential life lost, and 8% of hospitalizations.

Fatalities involving illicit drug use in Pretoria, South Africa, for the period 2003 - 2012

“…[21,[23][24][25][26] The most common age category for decedents who tested positive for illicit drugs (20 -30 years) also correlates relatively well with other studies. [25][26][27] This reflects a life expectancy approximately 32.9 -42.9 years lower than that of the general population of SA (62.9 years) [28] and indicates a significant number of YLL, which places a severe financial and emotional burden on the economy and communities.…”

“…These results are consistent with findings from other studies. [24][25][26]31] It is likely that these drugs are over-represented in samples from decedents, as opiates and cocaine are addictive and carry a greater risk of fatal outcome owing to the risk of central nervous system depression or cardiovascular afflictions, among other complications due to chronic use. [32] Globally, differences exist in patterns of illicit drug use: in Australia, opioids are believed to be responsible for most drug-related deaths, while cocaine has been reported as most commonly detected in drug-related deaths in Florida, USA.…”

Life expectancy among LDS and Non-LDS in Utah

“…Deaths associated with tobacco use have been summarized from review articles and meta-analyses (Single et al 2000;Single et al 1999). Death counts for each of these diseases and conditions were derived separately for LDS and non-LDS in the years 1994 through 1998.…”

“…Tobacco use is among those behaviors that has slowed the increasing life expectancy (Murray and Lopez 1997a;Peto et al 1996;Stinson et al 1996). A number of diseases and conditions associated with tobacco use have been identified in epidemiologic studies (Single et al 2000;Single et al 1999). The extent that these diseases and conditions have slowed the increasing life expectancy is unclear.…”

Evidence Regarding the Level of Alcohol Consumption Considered to be Low-Risk for Men and Women

“…The Canadian estimates were conducted as part of a study to estimate the costs of substance abuse, including alcohol misuse (Single et al, 1998;Single et al, 1999). It was estimated that alcohol prevented 7,401 deaths in 1992 (5,162 males and 2,239 females).…”