Nonfatal drug overdoses rise alongside fatal ones

Fatal drug overdoses increased by nearly 10% between 2016 and 2017, but new CDC data reveal that nonfatal drug overdoses also increased during that time period. Looking at data from emergency departments, researchers found that the number of ED visits for nonfatal drug overdoses in 2017 had increased by more than 4% compared to 2016. Almost a third of these overdoses involved cocaine, while opioids, nonheroin opioids, and heroin each made up less than 4% of these overdoses. Overdoses were most common among females, those ages 15-34, and those in Midwestern states. Some caveats: The CDC's analysis didn't take into account those people who had multiple drugs in their system, nor could the analysis distinguish whether those cases attributed to specific drugs were because they were taken illegally drugs or were prescribed doses. 

COPD among nonsmokers could be a risk factor for lung cancer

Those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, who have never smoked have about the same risk of developing lung cancer as smokers without COPD, according to new research. Scientists followed nearly 340,000 individuals without a history of lung cancer for seven years: Around 16% of the more than 1,800 people who developed lung cancer had COPD. Compared to those who had never smoked and didn't have COPD, those with COPD who had never smoked were 2.5 times more likely to have developed lung cancer. The risk for lung cancer among current and former smokers without COPD was also twice as high, while this risk among those with COPD and a history of smoking was six times as high. Although the findings represent an association, the study authors suggest that future studies ought to look into whether COPD patients ought to be screened for lung cancer. 

What to read around the web today

• Female scientists allege discrimination, neglect of research on women at NIH’s child health institute. Science
• Touting virus cure, ‘simple country doctor’ becomes a right-wing star. The New York Times
• The daily terrors: Improving in a makeshift ICU in Spain. Associated Press
• Her husband is hospitalized in a coma with coronavirus. She’s 7 1/2 months pregnant and infected, too. The Boston Globe
• Trump administration ended pandemic early-warning program to detect coronaviruses. Los Angeles Times