Leading causes of premature death in each country

[LongBlade]

There is going to a be "wave of death" in most western nations in the next ten years, brought about by the aging baby-boomer demographic. 

That's an interesting hypothesis.

What leads you to believe that?

For those very frail elderly who decide to "their own quietus make", guns are probably the most effective way to do so.

If there is a medical need, I suspect we may see more physician assists. But before we can speculate on that I'd like to hash out why the numbers might increase - beyond the straight per capita increase in baby boomers as an absolute number.

[bayonetbrant]

I don't want to de-rail the thread

what?  and abandon an ancient and honorable grogheads tradition!?

[Jack Nastyface]

There is going to a be "wave of death" in most western nations in the next ten years, brought about by the aging baby-boomer demographic. 

That's an interesting hypothesis.
What leads you to believe that?

For those very frail elderly who decide to "their own quietus make", guns are probably the most effective way to do so.

If there is a medical need, I suspect we may see more physician assists. But before we can speculate on that I'd like to hash out why the numbers might increase - beyond the straight per capita increase in baby boomers as an absolute number.

First off, let me say I should have said "next 15 years".  Maybe even 20.



The "wave of death" (obviously my term, used dramatically) is based on current demographic projections for the baby-boom generation (1946-1964).  By 2029 in the USA, there will be approximately 71 million people over the age of 65, a 60 % increase from what it is now.  Virtually everywhere, old age = more health problems, specifically more chronic disease, which in turn often leads to diminished quality of life.  I am further inclined to believe that chronic rates may be higher (or at least appear earlier) in western nations that are already dealing with things like obesity.

Perhaps unrelated (or maybe not) birth rates since the mid-1960's have become more regular, and the number of people who will be paying for healthcare programs (the 18-65 cohort) will represent 57% of the population (that cohort is currently closer to 65% of the pop).  So access to quality medical care may be most challenging at a time when it is needed most.

Although I didn't googlize the CDC's stats "average age of persons committing gun-related suicide", I believe most suicide victims (about 20%) are between 45 - 59 years old, closely followed (at around 18%) by the 75 year+ cohort.  Suicide by firearm is still the most popular choice.

Taking these factors into consideration, I guess I was just extrapolating that increase in older adult / elderly population + slowly increasing suicide rates (since 2000) + lower vehicle accident mortality rates (on the decline since 2000) = more deaths by gun than auto-accident.

It is, of course, just a theory.  As Twain said:  "There's lies, damned lies...and statistics".

Sorry to completely darken the mood here.  I am looking over mortality stats as part of my work, so perhaps this is too morbid a conversation.  Apologies to anyone I've offended or put-off.  Quick...someone make a funny reference to women's anatomy.

[GDS_Starfury]

[Gusington]

^Now I want to die.

And so there's this:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-19/american-gun-deaths-to-exceed-traffic-fatalities-by-2015.html

And more recently this:

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/07/gun_deaths_outnumbered_motor-v.html

[GDS_Starfury]

reduce gun deaths and get grandma a new pair of titties!

[GDS_Starfury]

theres a reason this guy shot his wife and them hiself!

[besilarius]

And due to the shrinking of the Arctic ice sheets, we can't even go the eskimo way and put grandma on an ice floe and then wave.

[Gusington]

GAH I WANT TO UNSEE!!!

[endfire79]

After seeing that picture, this thread needs an exorcism.

[bayonetbrant]

[Martok]

GAH!!  UNCLEANUNCLEANUNCLEAN!!! 

[bayonetbrant]

hey guys -

We've had some folks point out that we probably need to keep the bikini pix in the Lingerie channel, so that no one has an uncomfortable discussion with a supervisor at work when someone is scrolling thru what should be regular conversations.

Thanks!