Jun 25, 2012
How we die in America, 1900 vs 2010
Here are the top 10 causes of death in the U.S. in 1900 compared to 2010, based on data from the New England Journal of Medicine…
(via The Washington Post)
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I think that suicide was probably at least as prevalent then, but it was so stigmatized that families and communities covered it up. Nobody who committed suicide could have a religious funeral service, or be buried in sanctified ground, which magnified survivors’ grief and shame. Doctors and others would usually accommodate survivors by agreeing to label suicides something else. Even now, most suicides aren’t made public, but they are tolerated more. An acquaintance of mine hanged himself recently, but was still allowed a Catholic service. The obituary simply stated that he had died suddenly, but mentioned a long illness.
Perhaps the suicides in the 1900s are covered under ‘accidents’.
Considering the Victorian Era’s (incl. America) focus on the importance of a “good death”, Andrea’s assertion makes a great deal of sense here. While it is far more complicated than this, a “good death” dealt with spiritual readiness and the willingness of the deceased to do God’s will (while dying). This is one reason that last words, vigil over the dying, and extensive records of the death bed were so prevalent and important in Victorian culture. That is a very broad generalization, but it certainly meant that families and doctors would probably have been very likely to deny or misreport suicides or other causes of death that they felt put their loved ones’ souls in jeopardy.
I’m surprised that dyspepsia or the vapors was not on the first list.
I’m surprised they’re not on the second.
I find it interesting that unlike all other diseases, Cancer has actually gone UP. Looks like about three times as much. I wonder if that filth most of us call “food” has something to do with it.
hmmm – Blaine, I would venture to guess that a lot of people died of influenza, diptheria, tb etc long before they got a chance to develop cancer.
That’s not to say that we aren’t creating new and exciting chemicals to expose to ourselves every day. :/
Yes, Margaret, at least some of the uptick in cancer rate can be explained by the fact that nowadays more people live past 50.
Now I feel better about it — I’m headed to McDonald’s.
I agree. Just like Alzheimer’s, of course more people are dying from it now because they’re living long enough to get it.
I somehow think that the preponderance of gastrointestinal infections in 1910 had something to do with that filth they called “food”.
Yes Blaine, I bet it does have something to do with it.
I’m just happy that less people are dying per 100,000.
That IS amazing that they’ve managed to almost halve the death rate.
100 000 out of 100 000 die. NEJM hasn’t listed every cause of death.
My mothers oncologist told me that if they live long enough, everyone will eventually get cancer. My Mom is almost 90 years old. It’s just a part of life, it’s the young ones that are sad. The one’s represented on the old stats are the young ones. That one probably hasn’t changed. The heart disease increase is telling though.