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national Impact of u.s. poison centerSNew Study Demonstrates Poison Centers Save Lives and Money |
For more than 70 years, Poison Centers have played a vital and unique role in the nation’s public health and emergency response infrastructure through poison prevention, education, treatment, and surveillance. Poison Centers have continuously evolved with technology and the changing healthcare landscape ensuring an uninterrupted infrastructure providing reliability, expertise, and trustworthiness to the nation. Many studies over several decades have demonstrated the substantial value and impact of the U.S. Poison Center Network on a national and regional level, which serves as the only emergency service of its kind. |
Our mission's value todayIn 2026, RAND published an independent analysis summarizing the monetary and societal benefits that U.S. Poison Centers provide to their communities and the nation. The report, Poison Prevention, Treatment, and Detection as Public Health Investments, found that U.S. Poison Centers provide $3.1 billion in healthcare benefits and savings every year. For every $1 spent by the nation’s 53 Poison Centers on services, it generates an estimated $16.77 in benefits. Poison Centers provide benefits and savings to communities including:
“Our findings demonstrate that the economic and societal value of Poison Centers is significant. Poison Centers take strain off an already-burdened emergency health system, while saving lives and money,” David Metz lead author of the report and senior analyst at RAND. The study also found that the Poison Center Network continues to modernize its infrastructure and take on an expanding role in public health including:
New methods of receiving Poison Help
| “The report reinforces that Poison Centers are a pillar of the nation’s healthcare system, serving and protecting our communities every day. The report also highlights the significant role that Poison Centers have in detecting and responding to the growing number of public health threats and disasters, providing life-saving coordination and response.”
— Alvin Bronstein, MD, FACEP |
Despite their societal impact, Poison Centers face funding challengesDespite the substantial value of Poison Centers, the RAND report found that overall funding has decreased in real dollars by 8 percent over the last decade, in addition to a decrease in subsidized support. Congressionally appropriated funding, and some state funding sources have declined in real dollars because funding amounts have not been adjusted for inflation in over a decade. Amid rising healthcare costs, these budget cuts are a mounting threat to the ability of Poison Centers to provide life-saving services and essential 24/7 coverage. The report shows that many Poison Centers are increasingly asked to provide more services with fewer resources. To find your local poison center and learn how you can get involved, visit https://www.poisoncenters.org/about/our-members |