Death Rates and Public Health
Death rates are measured by the number of deaths per unit time in a population. This statistic can be used to measure the overall health of a population. Among the causes of death, the mortality rate includes accidents, substance abuse, and suicide. In many cases, an individual's age is considered when calculating death rates. These factors have important implications for public health. If you or a loved one is suffering from an illness or a terminal disease, death rates should be monitored closely.
The Increase in Working-Age Mortality
A new study shows large increases in working-age mortality between 2010 and 2015. The findings are applicable to both men and women and also to those who do not have a high school diploma. The report also identifies the causes of mortality and focuses on possible modifiable factors. These factors, including unstable employment, should be considered when developing policy. The report also suggests that the United States is losing too many lives early. This is a significant national security concern and threatens the future of the economy and workforce.
The Report's Findings on Rising Mortality Rates
The report outlines several factors that may contribute to the rising mortality rates among working-age adults. First, the report finds that death rates have risen for some conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Furthermore, Americans are now more likely to die before they reach 65 years of age than their counterparts in other rich countries. The report also documents the growing public health crisis in the American workforce. As a result, it's important to study the causes of rising working-age mortality.
Increase in Deaths from Accidents
A recent report shows that traffic fatalities increased by nearly 15 percent since the early 2000s. These increases were seen across all regions of the United States. Fatalities rose by the same percentage in rural and urban areas. Although rural areas have historically had higher fatality rates, this does not mean that the trend will reverse. The fatality rate in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Mississippi increased by nearly seven percent in 2020 and eleven percent in the first quarter of 2021. Meanwhile, in New England, the fatality rate dropped to its lowest level since the early 1950s.
The Factors Contributing to Increased Accidents
The increase in deaths from accidents in the United States was due to a number of factors. First, the number of people killed in car crashes increased by nearly 13%, while fatalities in motorcycle crashes increased by 5%. Speeding was another factor in this increase, as was the lack of seat belt usage. Additionally, accidents involving alcohol use rose by 5%. In spite of these increases, the government predicts that the fatality rate will decrease in the next few years.
Increase in Deaths from Substance Abuse
The number of drug overdose deaths in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years. According to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, there will be 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2020, compared to 78,056 in the same period a year earlier. This increase has been attributed in large part to the use of opioid painkillers, prescription pain medications, and synthetic opioids.
Disparities in Substance Abuse Death Rates
According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fatal overdose rates will be 40 percent higher in 2020 among Black and Native American populations. In contrast, white and Hispanic people will see a 22% increase in drug overdose deaths in that same period. This disparity in death rates is likely due to health inequities and treatment biases. The rate of deaths from substance abuse is also higher in counties with higher income inequality.
Increase in Deaths from Suicide
The Middle East has had a significant increase in deaths by suicide since the 1990s. Between 2007 and 2015, the rate of suicide in the region was between 0.6 and 0.8 per 100,000 people. The increase in suicide deaths does not only include successful suicides, but also failed attempts to harm oneself. These attempts are about 30 times more common than a suicide, despite the fact that the number of fatal suicide attempts is much lower.
Suicide Rates by Gender and Age
Despite a large increase in male deaths, female suicide rates increased from 0.23 to 3.59 per 100,000. The highest rate of suicide was seen in people aged 15 to 24, while male rates were the same. Among the precipitating factors, family problems and relationship issues were most common. Suicide rates also increased in the developing world, such as Egypt. Sadly, these numbers have remained relatively constant for the past few decades, although some researchers suggest that they are overreported or underclassified.
