Prescription Drug Overdose Deaths Skyrocket among Women

According to a report from the CDC, women's prescription overdose deaths are on the rise. Since 1999, the number of women dying from prescription drug overdoses has grown by more than 400 percent. In 2010, more than 6,600 women died from an overdose of prescription painkillers, which is four times more than the number of deaths caused by cocaine and heroin combined.

By comparison, the rate of overdoses among men increased by 265 percent. This disparity could be because women are more likely to have chronic pain, be given higher doses of painkillers and use them for longer periods of time.

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