US Death Rate Rises, Health Officials Aren't Sure Why (nbcnews.com)

New submitter Ungrounded Lightning writes: According to The New York Times, the U.S. death rate has risen for the first time in more than a decade (or several decades if particular). The rise is across the whole population, though whites, especially the less educated among them, were recently (and separately) documented to be particularly hard hit. The article speculates about drug abuse (prescription as well as illegal), suicides, and Alzheimer's, though it notes that heart disease -- which had been consistently dropping -- has also risen. No mention was made of whether the cutover to Obamacare might have had some effect. The aging of the population was mentioned, though the rise is present even within particular age groups. The National Center for Health Statistics shows the adjusted death rate went up from 723 deaths per 100,000 people in 2014 to nearly 730 deaths per 100,000 in 2015. We do know that the suicide rate in the U.S. has surged to its highest level in almost three decades.

Comments

Campaign season

[ScentCone]

As many people as possible are trying to die in order to avoid having to choose between Trump and Clinton. Ironically, more dead people than ever are voting.

Everyone together now!

[redcliffe]

USA! USA! USA!

Re: Recession is really a depression

[StikyPad]

Pfft, you pampered kids these days. I grow my own grass to raise my own cows, which I created by breeding wild cattle over many generations to optimize for muscle weight and docile behavior. I forged my own cleavers from a handbuilt kiln fired by locally sourced wood coal and a bellows made from cow stomach. How did I get the cow stomach without first having a cleaver, you ask? Good question, if you're a fan of dumb questions. I used flint, of course. In order to find the flint, first I familiarized myself with geological maps of the area (which I had created back in my cartographer days), then I searched everywhere: in plowed fields, in the gravel of creek and river bottoms, construction sites, under bridges and eroded roadside ditches. Most of the flint was of poor quality, or too small for a blade, but eventually I found the perfect sample. Anyway, once I had my cow stomach and my bellows and finished forging my cleavers, I could process my own meat almost effortlessly on my hand-built processing line, and let me tell you, I've saved a ton of money this way. Why spend money when you can spend lots and lots of time, I say? Time is free and there's an endless supply! Anyway, my 80th birthday is coming up soon, so I think it's about time I start dating. First, I need to make myself some nice clothes though. Don't want to scare off the ladies with my cow-hide panchos. Mama didn't raise no fools!