Follow
Researchers compared the mortality rate for white Americans in 1999 with the rate now.
A new study focused on the rising of the mortality rate for white Americans. The rate has increased a lot in the last 20 years. Many of these deaths are named deaths of despair. The researchers that conducted this study mentioned that these are caused by suicide, alcohol, and drugs.
This research started in 2015 and was conducted by Angus Deaton and Anne Case from Princeton University. In order to conduct this study, researchers compared the mortality rate for white American in 1999 to the rate now.
They observed that white men are twice more likely to die from alcohol, suicide, or drugs now than they were in 1999. When it comes to women, the rate is even bigger. Women are four times more likely to die from “despair” now than they were 18 years ago.
The mortality rates of Hispanics, Europeans, and black people are smaller when compared to white Americans. The mortality rates are even bigger for people that live in rural areas and have only high school education. These people are the most affected by deaths of despair.
Middle-aged, working-class people with high school education are the ones that suffer from deaths of despair. The researchers mentioned that their research shows the current decline of the working class people that thrived in the 70s.
Scientists mentioned that showing numbers and demonstrated the increase in the mortality rate is simple. The problem came when they looked for remedies. They mentioned that many people need to take action in order to save people from deaths of despair. The government, civic organizations, and businesses should all look for remedies.
The people that are affected by deaths of despair were also the ones that voted for President Donald Trump. This is because he promised to bring back jobs that can be done by people who only have a high school diploma. Manufacturing and coal mine jobs are desired by the middle age working class white American. The researchers mentioned that something should be done for these people before more of them die from alcohol, drug abuse or suicide. They need more than promises.
What is your opinion about this report? Did you know about these “deaths of despair”?
Image source: Wikipedia
