Regional Variations in Opioid Prescribing Rates

Given the state of the opioid crisis, any meaningful data is valuable. So when CMS released three years of Opioid Part D prescription data in November, we all rejoiced. CMS also released a mapping tool to analyze the data. While mapping tools can be effective, they can also get in the way.

 

We recently got under the hood of this data and released a new Opioid Prescribing Rates Interactive. It is automatically available to subscribers as part of our growing Community Health library. An analysis of the data becomes more meaningful when we can actually sort and manipulate the data and relate it to other data such as population.

 

In the video blog, we discuss the following:

  1. Why mapping is not always the best tool for this type of analysis.

  2. Why good old tables present a quick way of analyzing this type of data.

  3. Which counties and states experienced the highest prescribing rates.

 

 

Share This Story

Similar Posts

  • Distance Learning Growth Continues

    In one of my favorite videos of my kid’s era, Grover from Sesame Street taught us the difference between near and far. I don’t think Grover had in mind today’s high tech tools and social media interaction when he taught us this principle. Distance Education continues to be a hot…

  • Lower Student Default Rates – Calm Before the Storm?

    Loan repayment rate data may trigger resurgence in default rates The most recent Federal Student Aid student default rate data indicates that the composite student default rates declined from 10.8% in 2015 to 10.1% in 2016, a decline of 6.5% and continuing a seven-year post-recession trend. In 2010, the default…

  • Student Default Rates for 2014 Flatten at 15.4%

    Last week we looked at student repayment rates and noted that longer-term repayment rates continue to decline for five and seven year repayment periods. Repayment rates are in essence a measure of optimism as it is the percentage of students who have made progress in paying down their student loans….

  • Student Earnings Experience a Sluggish Recovery

    College students are earning 8% less in 2013 than in 2008 per the most recent data published by the US Department of Education College Scorecard database. Students earned $31,382 in 2013 compared to $34,119 in 2008. The earnings were ostensibly flat from 2012 earnings of $31,528.   The College Scorecard…

  • Death Rate Continues to Inch Up

    The mortality (or death) rate increased nominally from 2016 to 2017 going from 844 to 849 deaths per 100,000. This probably is not earthshaking news but based on the overall crude rate, it has actually been increasing since 2009 as noted by the following graph.   Advances in medical care…

  • International Student Enrollment Visualized

    In last week’s blog, we talked about out of state enrollment and its potential impact on both the diversity and finances of the university. International enrollment is even considered a bigger potential bonanza to colleges and universities as many international students pay full tuition. According to the Institute of International…