Question

1. Case and Deaton (2015) note that morbidity and mortality rates have recently increased for U.S. white, non-Hispanics, ages 45-54. This runs opposite the general trend of falling death rates among other demographic groups and across other developed countries.

   1. (a) What are the main causes of death that the authors find have been increasing for this demo- graphic group (U.S. whites ages 45-54)?

   2. (b) Given the cited causes of death, offer one possible explanation or cause of this trend in mortality and morbidity among whites ages 45-54.

   3. (c) Make a specific suggestion for how you could use data to test if your suggested explanation in (b) is a driving force behind this trend. Briefly explain your proposed method.

Answer 1

(a.) In 2015, Case and Deaton find that morbidity and mortality rates have recently increased for U.S. white, non-Hispanics, ages 45-54. This trend is of course opposite the general trend of falling death rates among other demographic groups and across other developed countries. The general trend of falling death rates is supported by the improvement in the medical health facilities related to diseases like Heart ,Cancer and liver diseases. The main causes of death that the Case and Deaton find is in High rate of poisoning, heavy use of drugs, suicides and liver related diseases due to high consumption of alcohol.

(b.) Given the cited causes of death, offer one possible explanation or cause of this trend in mortality and morbidity among whites ages 45-54, is massive increment in poisoning and suicides during the period 1998 to 2015. Massive increment in poisoning and suicides reversed the general trend of falling death rates.

(c.) The simplest way to test suggested explanation in (b) is a driving force behind this trend, is to use econometrics tools of statistical analysis. In which we test or use the available data regarding the suggested explanation to analyse the impact of suggested explanation in (b) on high mortality rates trend. We particularly analyse how poisoning and suicides are correlated with high mortality rates trend.