January 21, 2026

Sioux City, Iowa (January 21, 2026)—U.S. Poison Centers save $3.1 billion every year in medical costs and lost productivity, according to a new independent study released by America’s Poison Centers®. Conducted by RAND the report confirms that Poison Centers provide substantial economic and societal benefits for communities across the country.

In Iowa, the Iowa Poison Control Center (IPCC) responds to more than 23,000 cases each year and makes more than 50,000 follow-up calls to ensure patients remain safe. More than half of all cases (55 percent) involve children under the age of 19. Calls are answered by a highly trained team of nurses, pharmacists, and physicians with specialized expertise in toxicology, providing free, confidential, 24/7 guidance to all Iowans.

The complexity and severity of poisoning and overdose cases continues to rise, particularly those involving intentional self-poisoning among youth, the most common method of suicide attempts in this age group. As these cases grow more complex, the IPCC plays an increasingly vital role.

The RAND report, Poison Prevention, Treatment, and Detection as Public Health Investments, found that for every $1 invested in poison center services, communities receive $16.77 in benefits. These cost-saving benefits reflect reduced emergency department use, shortened hospital stays, decreased mortality risk, enhanced public health surveillance, and improved patient outcomes.

In Iowa, those savings are significant. Nearly 90 percent of cases involving children under six are safely managed at home, avoiding unnecessary emergency room visits and ambulance transports and saving an estimated $15 million each year. The IPCC saves Iowa’s Medicaid program at least $6 million annually in avoided medical costs. Healthcare providers across the state frequently rely on IPCC specialists for immediate treatment recommendations, including access to on-call medical toxicologists for severe and complex cases.

However, despite their growing value, overall funding for Poison Centers has decreased by 8 percent from 2011 to 2024 in real dollars, in addition to a decrease in subsidized support. Amid rising healthcare costs, these budget cuts are an increasing threat to the ability of Poison Centers to provide life-saving services and essential 24/7 coverage.

The report found that Poison Centers and their national infrastructure have significantly modernized over the last decade, expanding beyond traditional telephone calls to offer live chat services that better meet the changing needs of the public and the healthcare system. 

“This study confirms what we see every day – fast access to our specialists in poison information keeps people safe at home, prevents costly emergency room visits, and helps healthcare providers manage complex poisoning cases,” said Linda Kalin, RN, BS, Executive Director, Iowa Poison Control Center. “We are here 24/7 for Iowa families, caregivers, and clinicians, providing expert guidance when it matters most.”

In addition to around-the-clock support for the public and healthcare professionals, the IPCC provides medication safety education, overdose prevention outreach, and professional training across the state. The IPCC is also one of 53 accredited poison centers participating in a real-time national surveillance system that monitors emerging health threats, including new drugs of abuse and newly introduced consumer products.

For additional information, or to read the full report, visit poisoncenters.org/national-impact-study. For fast, free, confidential help for a potential poisoning or question, contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222, PoisonHelp.org, or reach your local poison center by visiting iowapoison.org.

About Iowa Poison Control Center
The Iowa Poison Control Center (IPCC) is a nationally accredited poison center serving all 99 counties in Iowa (or serves the entire state??)and one of 53 across the United States. As an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the IPCC is dedicated to protecting the health and safety of all Iowans by preventing and responding to poison-related emergencies.

Through the national Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222), the IPCC provides free, confidential, 24/7 expert guidance to families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals statewide. Calls are answered by specially trained nurses, pharmacists, and physicians with expertise in toxicology.

About America’s Poison Centers

America’s Poison Centers® represents the 53 accredited Poison Centers across the country. We are united in our cause to prevent poison-related health emergencies in America. Through the national Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) and PoisonHelp.org our member centers provide all Americans expert advice. We also maintain the National Poison Data System® (NPDS), our nation’s only near real-time poisoning data surveillance system, integrating the latest information from across Poison Centers

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