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You guessed it guns!
http://d1c25a6gwz7q5e.cloudfront.net/papers/1294.pdf
Abstract.
The US remains far behind most other affluent countries in terms of life expectancy. One
of the possible causes of this life expectancy gap is the widespread availability of
firearms and the resulting high number of US firearm fatalities: 10,801 homicides in
2000. The European Union experienced 1,260 homicides, Japan only 22. Using multiple
decrement techniques, we show that firearm violence shortens the life of an average
American by 104 days (151 days for white males, 362 days for black males). Among all
fatal injuries, only motor vehicle accidents have a stronger effect. We estimate that the
elimination of all firearm deaths in the US would increase the male life expectancy more
than the total eradication of all colon and prostate cancers. Our results suggest that the
insurance premium increases paid by Americans as a result of firearm violence are
probably of the same order of magnitude as total medical costs due to gunshots or the
increased cost of administering the criminal justice system due to gun crime.
See it is a public health and safety issue!
Now I know some will say "what about cars?". Well for most Americans living without a car is not an option (due in Part to poor public transportation and infrastructure caused by low taxes but I digress).
http://d1c25a6gwz7q5e.cloudfront.net/papers/1294.pdf
Abstract.
The US remains far behind most other affluent countries in terms of life expectancy. One
of the possible causes of this life expectancy gap is the widespread availability of
firearms and the resulting high number of US firearm fatalities: 10,801 homicides in
2000. The European Union experienced 1,260 homicides, Japan only 22. Using multiple
decrement techniques, we show that firearm violence shortens the life of an average
American by 104 days (151 days for white males, 362 days for black males). Among all
fatal injuries, only motor vehicle accidents have a stronger effect. We estimate that the
elimination of all firearm deaths in the US would increase the male life expectancy more
than the total eradication of all colon and prostate cancers. Our results suggest that the
insurance premium increases paid by Americans as a result of firearm violence are
probably of the same order of magnitude as total medical costs due to gunshots or the
increased cost of administering the criminal justice system due to gun crime.
See it is a public health and safety issue!
Now I know some will say "what about cars?". Well for most Americans living without a car is not an option (due in Part to poor public transportation and infrastructure caused by low taxes but I digress).