Orange County NC Website
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<br /> 21 <br /> <br /> Orange County has a drug <br />overdose mortality rate of 5.7, <br />which is lower than our peers <br />(9.7), NC (12.3) and the US (14.6). <br /> <br /> As shown in figure 16, opiate <br />poisoning deaths (including <br />heroin, other opioids, <br />methadone, and /or other <br />synthetic opioids) account for an <br />average of 7 deaths per year. <br /> <br /> Orange County’s prescription <br />opioid overdose mortality rate is 3.6 per 100,000 people, which is lower than NC (8.0) and the US <br />(5.3). <br /> <br />Tobacco – Tobacco use and secondhand smoke remain the leading causes of preventable illness and <br />death in both Orange County and NC.28 Tobacco refers to a range of products, such as cigarettes, cigars, <br />spit tobacco, hookah, and electronic cigarettes. <br /> <br /> Smoking rates are 2-3 times higher among those with behavioral health issues and are consistently <br />higher among those with lower levels of income and educational attainment.29,30,31 <br /> <br /> Smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths and 87% of all lung cancer deaths.32 Smoking <br />is also a major cause of heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and <br />is associated with gastric ulcers.33 <br /> <br /> Smokeless tobacco contains 28 cancer-causing chemicals and can cause oral and pancreatic cancers, <br />tooth decay, and gum recession.34 <br /> <br /> Among survey respondents exposed to <br />secondhand smoke, majority reported <br />being exposed in public places (figure <br />17). <br /> <br /> Secondhand smoke can cause heart <br />attacks and stroke and is especially <br />harmful to infants and children who can <br />experience asthma attacks, respiratory <br />infections, ear infections, and sudden <br />infant death syndrome (SIDS).35 <br /> <br /> About half of all children between ages 3 and 18 years are exposed to cigarette smoke regularly.36 <br /> <br />7 <br />4 <br />11 <br />6 <br />10 <br />6 6 <br />10 <br />5 5 <br />0 <br />5 <br />10 <br />15 <br />2005200620072008200920102011201220132014 <br />Figure 16: Orange County Opiate Poisoning Deaths, <br />2005-2014 <br />Total Count Average <br />34% <br />24% <br />16% <br />11% <br />11% <br />3%1% <br />Figure 17: Locations Survey Respondents are <br />Exposed to Secondhand Smoke <br />Public Places <br />Home <br />Bars/Nightclubs <br />Restaurants <br />Work <br />Coffee Shops <br />Hospitals