The Odds

• 20% of Americans die of cancer, peaking at age 65
• 25% die of organ failure, usually heart or lung, peaking at age 75
• 40% die after extended frailty and/or dementia, generally around age 85

(from geriatrician Dr Joanne Lynn, in the New York Times, July 8, 2008)

Causes of the 2,423,712 American deaths in 2004:

heart 25%
cancer 23%
cerebrovascular 6%
respiratory 5%
accidents 5%
alzheimers 3%
diabetes 3%
flu & pneumonia 2%
kidneys 2%
septicemia 1%
suicide 1%
liver 1%
hypertension 1%
parkinsons 1%
murder 1%
all other 19%

(from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control)

Two good documentaries

Recently watched two worthwhile Frontline programs:

Facing Death portrays several people facing death, and how their families and physicians deal with the technological and ethical decisions. Chilling in its exploration if the fact that medical technology can now keep organ systems "alive" beyond any meaningful quality of life.

Living Old describes how most of us will face serious physical or mental debilitation in our last years, and follows several people and their families who are dealing with nursing homes and other difficult situations.

Both of these programs can be watch online at the Frontline website, linked above.