Political Forum - View Single Post

Professor Peabody · #**106** (**permalink**) 05-22-2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

According to the CDC the top 15 leading causes of death for 2004

1) Diseases of heart...........................654,092
2) Malignant neoplasms (Cancer)................550,270
3) Cerebrovascular diseases (Strokes)..........150,147
4) Chronic lower respiratory diseases..........123,884
5) Accidents (unintentional injuries)..........108,694
6) Diabetes mellitus ...........................72,815
7) Alzheimer’s disease .........................65,829
8) Influenza and pneumonia .....................61,472
9) Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis..42,762
10) Septicemia..................................33,464
11) Intentional self-harm (suicide).............31,647
12) Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.........26,549
13) Hypertension and hypertensive renal disease.22,953
14) Parkinson’s disease ........................18,018
15) Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids ......16,959

Simple Falling Down.............................16,926
Assault (homicide) by discharge of firearms.....11,250
Accidental discharge of Firearm....................661

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr54/nvsr54_19.pdf

Amazingly as the scourge of America, the firearm isn't anywhere NEAR the top as a leading cause of death. Almost three times as many people die from Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Does this mean we should ban alcohol? Then add the number of vehicle accident deaths that are alcohol related. More people die from a slip and fall! You stand a 50 times greater chance of dying by heart attack than by gun. They account for such a tiny percentage of folks who die everyday, I defer to Archie Bunker who told his daughter while discussing the subject; "Would it make you feel any better if they waz pushed outta windows?"