https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/Medicare-Provider-Charge-Data/OpioidMap.html

https://wonder.cdc.gov/controller/datarequest/D77

According to the American Statistical Association, drug overdose deaths are now the leading cause of injury and death in the United States. As of 2016, 2.1 million Americans have an opioid use disorder. Our job was to analyze external datasets given to us and come up with a solution based on our results.

The national death percentage average was .0068069 in 2000.

The national death percentage average was .0214843 in 2016

• Is the rate of overdose deaths associated more with extended-release opioids rather than regular opioids

• To explore the prescription rates of each of these and see if there is a relationship with the death percentages

• A lag effect may be in place here for the normal opioid prescription rates.
• In our case, it is safe to conclude that extended-release opioid prescription rates have more of an impact on opioid related deaths than regular opioids.
• This may be due to the higher amount of opioid medication in extended release opioids compared to normal opioids. It doesn't have as much of a spike at first, but it is in the bloodstream longer, therefore it may cause more injuries or even overdoses.

• If the change in regular opioid prescription rate was increased and the change in extended-release prescription rate was decreased over a four year period, would the death per population ratio decrease?

• I believe that this should be looked at by hospitals and other data scientists to see if the prescription rate of extended-release opioids should be lowered.

1. Mui, Katie. “Extended Release Drugs: Are They Right For You?” GoodRx, 9 Nov. 2018, www.goodrx.com/blog/extended-release-drugs-are-they-right-for-you/.

2. “What Does Time-Release Mean in Terms of Drug Consumption?” Desert Hope, 2018, deserthopetreatment.com/drug-abuse/what-is-time-release/.