Drug deaths among Michigan women up 24% in 2 years, report says

Originally Published by MLive.

Michigan is No. 29 among the 50 states in a 2018 ranking of women and children’s health indicators, according to a new report by the United Health Foundation.

Michigan ranked 32nd in the foundation’s last report in 2016.

Among the findings for Michigan in the new report: Drug deaths increased 24% from 16.3 to 20.2 deaths per 100,000 Michigan females aged 15-44.

In 2016, Michigan had 430 deaths among women age 15 to 44 from drug overdoses and other poisonings, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.

That compares to 356 deaths in 2014 and 236 deaths in 2006.

In 2016, the drug death rate for Michigan women age 35 to 44 was four times higher than the rate for women age 15 to 24.

Also, the rate is 50% higher among white females as compared to African-American women.

Below are some other highlights from the report.

Smoking during pregnancy has dropped 12%

Since the United Health Foundation’s 2016 report, tobacco use during pregnancy decreased 8% from 13.3% to 12.3% of live births in Michigan.

In 2016, about 20% of Michigan who gave birth smoked during their pregnancy.

Smoking during pregnancy is estimated to account for 20 to 30% of low-birth weight babies, up to 14% of preterm deliveries, and about 10% of all infant deaths according to American Lung Association.

Breastfeeding is up

Since the United Health Foundation’s 2016 edition, the percentage of Michigan infants exclusively breastfed for six months increased 32% from 17.1% to 22.6%.

A 2016 report by the federal Centers for Disease Control found:

- Among infants born in 2013, 81% started out breastfeeding.
- 51.8% of infants were breastfeeding at 6 months.
- 30.7% of infants were breastfeeding at 12 months.