[mhammer]

A stellar example of graphical depiction of data. https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/mortality-rates-united-states/#2014

Mortality rates for leading causes of death in every U.S. county from 1980 to 2014.
The data can be viewed as a time-animation that shows distribution across counties from 1980 to 2014. The darkest areas have the highest mortality rates from that particular cause/disease. What is interesting is how some sources of mortality show broad distribution early on and then become increasingly focussed in certain regions in later years as different states take on those challenges, or alternatively as the demographics of the region/county change. The animation for AIDS and tuberculosis (just why they are combined beats the hell out of me) is interesting in that it gets dark and then very light as it gets more recent. But check out the animations for self-harm & interpersonal violence, cirrhosis, and mental/substance-use disorders. VERY different distributions across the country. The latter is especially depressing as eastern Kentucky and West Virginia grow increasingly darker. Northern Arizona and New Mexico are no great paradise either.

Fascinating, and simultaneously depressing, stuff.

 

[davetcan]

A stellar example of graphical depiction of data. https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/mortality-rates-united-states/#2014

But check out the animations for self-harm & interpersonal violence, cirrhosis, and mental/substance-use disorders. VERY different distributions across the country. The latter is especially depressing as eastern Kentucky and West Virginia grow increasingly darker.

Fascinating, and simultaneously depressing, stuff.

Perhaps one of the hidden costs of decimating the coal industry in the name of the environment?

 

[mhammer]

Perhaps one of the hidden costs of decimating the coal industry in the name of the environment?

Those regions have experienced the opioid crisis a little more than other parts of the country. I think it is also fair to say that working in coal mines is not exactly the healthiest way to make a living. Certainly health is tied to economic levels, such that I don't expect regions with high unemployment (whatever the cause of it) to be healthier than regions with less unemployment. But "workin' in the coal mine" (to quote Lee Dorsey) is not about to improve one's health.

Many interviews and town halls with residents of those areas have indicated that, in the absence of the Affordable Care Act, they have next to nothing in the way of health care.

In any event, I wanted this to be more about epidemiology than politics, which is why I posted it here and not in the politics sub-forum. It's about health.

 

[keithb7]

Quickly viewing a few types of deaths, it would appear that there's something odd going on in Nevada.

 

[davetcan]

In any event, I wanted this to be more about epidemiology than politics, which is why I posted it here and not in the politics sub-forum. It's about health.

Understood, but those folks have been "workin' in the coal mine" for a long long time. I wouldn't expect to see any measurable change in mining related diseases for that reason. If anything there should be an eventual reduction in things like black lung as the job market shifts (if it does). The increases in self harm and drug abuse I believe can be directly related to politics and the economy, like it or not. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of Coal Mining, I've personally lost relatives to pneumoconiosis, but there can be unforeseen consequences to it's elimination that need to be addressed.

 

[mhammer]

A very fair comment. Sometimes the "cure" can be as bad as the "disease", eh?

 

[mhammer]

Quickly viewing a few types of deaths, it would appear that there's something odd going on in Nevada.

Yeah. And South Dakota too. That's one of the reasons why I felt compelled to post the link. There's a bunch of "surprises" in there, that make you think "Huh. I wouldn't have thought they were a hot spot for that."

 

[sulphur]

Notice how the whole map darkens in time with diabetes?

 

[butterknucket]

Art Bell is to blame for the strange things in Nevada.

 

[Xelebes]

Diarrhea & Infection, Non-infectious diseases, Neo-natal - Mississippi River seems to be a problem.
Mental & Substance Use - Eastern Kentucky and Western West Virginia has a problem. Well reported though.
Muscular-skeletal disorders - Idaho Panhandle and Western Montana. . . hmm.

 

[4345567]

__________