I just read an interesting article that details some of the most-feared ways to die, and demonstrates that most of them are actually extremely unlikely to occur. Without ado, here’s the list:
1) Airplane crashes. Your odds of actually being killed in an airline accident are 1 in 6.9 million.
2) Shark attack. The odds here? 1 in 11.5 million. It’s interesting to note that according to maritime records dating back to 1580, only 38 people have actually been recorded killed by sharks.
3) Murder. Globally, about half a million people a year are murdered, which seems like a lot until you consider that over six million people a year die from cancer.
4) Terrorist attack. Despite what the Department of Homeland Insecurity would have you believe, your chances of being killed in a terrorist attack are 1 in 9.3 million. The odds of dying in an avalanche are about the same– and who the heck walks around with a fear of avalanches?
Perhaps just as telling are the actual most likely causes of death. These are compiled from U.S. statistics, so they may differ in other countries; moreover, the first three are easily preventable.
1) Tobacco. 18% of all American deaths each year are attributable to tobacco.
2) Poor diet and physical inactivity. This claims around 17% of Americans.
3) Alcohol. Just shy of 4% for the booze.
4) Car accident. Around 2%.
Interesting stuff. It’s funny how we often have irrational fears– and sad how certain people *cough* Bush administration *cough* take advantage of those fears.