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Personal Decisions Are the Leading Cause of Death

Author

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  • Ralph L. Keeney

    (The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the relationships between personal decisions and premature deaths in the United States. The analysis indicates that over one million of the 2.4 million deaths in 2000 can be attributed to personal decisions and could have been avoided if readily available alternative choices were made. Separate analyses indicate 46% of deaths due to heart disease and 66% of cancer deaths are attributable to personal decisions, about 55% of all deaths for ages 15--64 are attributable to personal decisions, and over 94% of the deaths attributable to personal decisions result in the death of the individual making the decisions. Relative to the current 45%, retrospective appraisal suggests that roughly 5% of deaths in 1900 and 20%--25% of deaths in 1950 could be attributed to personal decisions. These results suggest that more effort directed toward improving personal choices regarding life risks may be an effective and economical way to save lives.

Suggested Citation

  • Ralph L. Keeney, 2008. "Personal Decisions Are the Leading Cause of Death," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 56(6), pages 1335-1347, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:oropre:v:56:y:2008:i:6:p:1335-1347
    DOI: 10.1287/opre.1080.0588
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ebrahim, S.H. & Peterman, T.A. & Zaidi, A.A. & Kamb, M.L., 1997. "Mortality related to sexually transmitted diseases in US women, 1973 through 1992," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 87(6), pages 938-944.
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    Cited by:

    1. Strulik, Holger, 2023. "Hooked on weight control: An economic theory of anorexia nervosa and its impact on health and longevity," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    2. n/a, 2012. "Commentaries to "The Vital Role of Operations Analysis in Improving Healthcare Delivery"," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 14(4), pages 495-511, October.
    3. Diana W. Thomas, 2019. "Regressive effects of regulation," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 180(1), pages 1-10, July.
    4. Lu Li, 2021. "Opening up the black box: Technological transparency and prevention," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 88(3), pages 665-693, September.
    5. Joel Goh & Jeffrey Pfeffer & Stefanos A. Zenios, 2016. "The Relationship Between Workplace Stressors and Mortality and Health Costs in the United States," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 62(2), pages 608-628, February.
    6. Ralph L. Keeney & Asa B. Palley, 2013. "Decision Strategies to Reduce Teenage and Young Adult Deaths in the United States," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(9), pages 1661-1676, September.
    7. Strulik, Holger, 2019. "I shouldn’t eat this donut: Self-control, body weight, and health in a life cycle model," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 14(C).
    8. Arnold Barnett, 2020. "All The Same? On a Certain Pattern in Cross‐National Death Risk," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 40(9), pages 1831-1843, September.

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