Overdose Deaths by Occupation: Is Your Job Killing You?
Overdose Deaths by Occupation: Is Your Job Killing You?
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), drug overdose deaths increased 14% from 2020 to 2021. They increased again in 2022, with more than 109,000 drug deaths.
A recent National Vital Statistics Report outlined one of the best predictors of overdose deaths: your job. Here are drug deaths by occupational categories, ranked from least to most dangerous.
22. Education, training, and library
Teachers and librarians have the least risk by far, with 5.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
21. Computer and mathematical
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9.1 deaths per 100,000 people.
20. Business and financial operations
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10.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
19. Life, physical, and social science
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15.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
18. Architecture and engineering
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16.8 deaths per 100,000 people.
17. Healthcare practitioners and technical
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17.2 deaths per 100,000 people.
16. Management
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18.6 deaths per 100,000 people.
15. Legal
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19.1 deaths per 100,000 people.
14. Office and administrative
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22.6 deaths per 100,000 people.
13. Community and social services
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22.6 deaths per 100,000 people.
12. Protective service
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27.4 deaths per 100,000 people.
11. Healthcare support
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37.5 deaths per 100,000 people.
10. Sales and related
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39 deaths per 100,000 people.
9. Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media
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45.7 deaths per 100,000 people.
8. Farming, fishing, and forestry
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51.3 deaths per 100,000 people.
7. Production
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53.3 deaths per 100,000 people.
6. Installation, maintenance, and repair
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69.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
5. Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance
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70 deaths per 100,000 people.
4. Transportation and material moving
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70.7 deaths per 100,000 people.
3. Personal care and service
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74 deaths per 100,000 people.
2. Food preparation and serving
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117.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
1. Construction and extraction
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Construction is by far the deadliest profession for overdose deaths, with 162.6 deaths per 100,000 people. One theory is that construction workers are more likely to develop drug dependency after injuries that accompany the role.
Help is available. Call 1-800-662-4357 or text 435748 to find treatment options. Keep Narcan on hand to save lives in an emergency.
25 Countries That Decriminalized Drug Use
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Recreational drug use can be a morally gray area for many. Some people say the right to bodily autonomy is absolute, even to the extent that that right leads to self-harm. Others insist on a heavy-handed reinforcement of drug laws that have shown poor outcomes at best and victimized communities at worst.
While the U.S. continues to grapple with issues like legalization of cannabis, these countries decriminalized drug use for personal possession.
➤ 25 Countries That Decriminalized Drug Use
The Most Dangerous Cities on Earth
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The following most dangerous cities on Earth had the highest homicide rates in 2022, not including cities at war.
➤ The Most Dangerous Cities on Earth
Jen Barnett is the co-founder of Expatsi, a company that's helped thousands of Americans on their moving abroad journeys. She created the Expatsi Test, an assessment that recommends countries for aspiring emigrants based on lifestyle data. Jen has an MBA from Emory University with concentrations in marketing and innovation. Prior to Expatsi, she created Freshfully and Bottle & Bone—two businesses in the local food space—and spoke at TEDx on being brave. She lives in Mérida, Yucatán, along with her husband and co-founder Brett, pitbull mix Squiggy, and two rotten cats. How can she help you move abroad?
