Alarming trend among less-educated 45- to 54-year-olds largely thought to be a result of more suicides and the misuse of drugs and alcohol.
A sharp rise in death rates among white middle-aged Americans has claimed nearly as many lives in the past 15 years as the spread of Aids in the US, researchers have said.
The alarming trend, overlooked until now, has hit less-educated 45- to 54-year-olds the hardest, with no other groups in the US as affected and no similar declines seen in other rich countries.
Though not fully understood, the increased deaths are largely thought to be a result of more suicides and the misuse of drugs and alcohol, driven by easier access to powerful prescription painkillers, cheaper high quality heroin and greater financial stresses.
The turnaround reverses decades of falling mortality rates achieved through better medical care and lifestyle choices that continue to improve public health in other groups in the US and in other nations around the world.
“This was absolutely a surprise to us. It knocked us off our chairs,” said Anne Case, an economics professor at Princeton University who worked on the study. Since discovering the trend, Case and her colleague Angus Deaton, also an economics professor at Princeton, have shared the findings with healthcare professionals. “We wanted to make sure we weren’t missing something,” Case said. “Everyone’s been stunned.”
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15 comments:
How is this shocking? This group is the most hated in America and carrying the biggest load on their shoulders. I'm shocked they are shocked over it.
Married to one and I agree with 9:10... Every day is a struggle for him. Tells me daily he'd rather be dead than dealing with every obstacle thrown his way. He's trying to hang on but psychiatrist and counselor are pointless because I'm the only one he talks to about everything that's bothering him. It's the absolute hardest thing I've ever had to deal with.
A generation that has little to look forward to, having had its jobs moved overseas, its taxes raised over and over, cost of living quadrupled over its lifetime, pensions squandered by government and banking, a social security system that's without funding and a health care plan that promises to bankrupt or kill them, or both.
I feel even sorrier for the generation behind them - all of the above and no chance of making it better.
Wow! Look how quickly you all don the mantle of "victim" You Pathetic Weaklings make me sick to my stomach
I am one, this country doesn't want us anymore.
I will keep the two of you in my prayers
Lol they are just sick of liberals lol. White men need to form a Fraternity that supports white men. The solution is simple clean yourselves up and eliminate the problem. Need I say more.
These men are disappointed because they grew up believing they would skate through life based on their privilege.
Sums it up.
We try to help our kids to do as well or better than we did. It gets harder and harder.
Most of them are busting their butts and are realizing they are simply sinking quicker by the day. This country runs on middle aged white men. Keep thinking we are the problem.
"You Pathetic Weaklings make me sick to my stomach" Huh? Insightful observations don't make anybody a 'pathetic weakling'. On the other hand, your post cries out 'dim-witted jackass'.
"These men are disappointed because they grew up believing they would skate through life based on their privilege." Skate thru life based on our privilege. Yeah. That's it. Privilege to fight wars, work jobs, take responsibility for families, pay taxes and support millions of social parasites. All while being bastardized by our fellow citizens and elected officials. Well, here's a big FU from this white middle-aged American. My money is stashed, my kids are grown, and I'm getting the hell out. Who's gonna pay for your Obama-phone when we're all gone?
6:28. Bravo!
Cigarettes
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