Florida’s Poison Control Centers have been a source of fast, free, lifesaving information to families and hospitals for over 40 years, but a recent study highlights the benefits of the poison control system to the nation’s health.
When people think of return on investment (ROI), they may think of their stocks and bonds, or of a business that invests in equipment with an eye to increasing profits. In the public health world, return on investment refers to the benefits accrued to funders and communities in the form of healthcare savings, improved health outcomes and lives saved.
In 2024, America’s Poison Centers, the organization representing the nation’s 53 poison control centers, contracted the Rand Corporation to estimate the ROI for the federal, state and local funders of poison centers. A study of this kind hadn’t been done since 2012, and healthcare costs had soared since.
Rand conducted extensive surveys of poison centers, including those in Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville, and did a deep dive into the academic literature on poison control’s impact on patient care and health costs.
The following findings were released on Jan. 21, 2026:
• Every $1 spent by Poison Center funders generates an estimated $16.77 in benefits, each year.
• Poison Centers save governments an estimated $825 million in avoidable emergency department costs per year alone.
• Poison Centers provide $3.1 billion in healthcare savings and benefits annually. These benefits accrue specifically from:
$1.52 billion due to avoided healthcare utilization
$150 million due to productivity loss associated with unnecessary healthcare utilization
$725 million due to reduced length of hospital stays
$89 million in productivity and labor hours, and$574 million in reduced mortality risk.
In 2025, Florida’s Poison Control Centers handled about 76,000 calls, providing immediate guidance to callers worried about poisonings ranging from medicine mix-ups to snakebites.
This study shows the value of the work beyond these patients to the healthcare system, which struggles with inefficiency and has substantial barriers to access.
Dr. Richard Weisman, director of the Poison Control Center at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital noted, “We’re proud to be part of this national network as we serve our neighbors in South Florida. As much as we have poisonings unique to our area, it’s great to have colleagues around the country we rely on for support and expertise.”
To read the full report, visit https://poisoncenters.org/national-impact-study. To reach one of Florida’s Poison Control Centers, dial 1-800-222-1222 for immediate help from a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. You can also call with questions, or for help with drug interactions or side effects. Calls are fully confidential.
For more information, visit www.floridapoisoncontrol.org or www.poisoncenters.org/home.
Wendy Stephan, PhD MPH, is with the Florida Poison Information Center-Miami, University of Miami, Miller School of MedicineDepartment of Pediatrics, Jackson Health System.
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