Causes of Death in University Student Age Group
Posted on September 3, 2009
Written By: Bradford P Smith, DVM, DACVIM, Professor Emeritus
Why talk about death statistics? Isn’t that a taboo subject? The reason to write about this and talk to friends about it is because most causes of death in your young age group are preventable. If you think and act responsibly, you can prevent bad things from happening. I am 65 years old, and I have had a wonderful exciting life full of adventures. I have been charged by a Grizzly bear, and almost drowned while rafting. I lived overseas and had every intestinal disorder known to man. I have travelled the world and no doubt eaten things I should not have touched. But because I had some good luck and used reasonable precautions regarding preventable causes of death, I am still here and enjoying life. I would like you to be around for a long and fulfilling lifetime.
OK, you are a pretty healthy young veterinary student or veterinarian, and you only have a few minor bad habits. So what things should you worry about? What is the most likely cause of death to touch you, and just how likely is it?
If one examines data from the leading causes of preventable death each year in the United States, for all ages, the leading causes of death are smoking ( 430,000 /year) and alcohol (91,000 /year), followed by motor vehicle accidents, homicide, AIDS and drugs. These are the preventable causes and do not include natural causes such as heart attack and stroke.
But it is different for the student age group. Accidents, mainly motor vehicle accidents (many are alcohol related), are the leading cause of death in this age group, followed by either suicide or illness, depending on the study. At the veterinary college where I taught, the most recent student deaths were from motor vehicle accidents and brain tumors. Thank goodness we have not had any suicides, but I know that over the last few years several students have suffered from severe depression and needed professional help to make them better.
What to do to alter the odds in your favor:
- Don’t drink and drive. Don’t get into the car or onto the motorcycle with a driver who has been drinking.
- Wear your seat belt…always! On a motorcycle or bike, always wear a helmet.
- Pay attention to your mental health status and that of your classmates and friends. Talk to each other openly, ask how they are doing, and take talk of suicide or depression seriously and get help quickly. All universities have affordable professional help readily available.
- Take care of yourself…eat right, sleep enough, and exercise regularly. Be sure to socialize. If you notice any problem, get it taken care of promptly. Allowing yourself to fall apart mentally or physically because “you don’t have time” can result in a life threatening medical condition.
- Don’t smoke or binge drink. And of course, do not use illicit drugs.
- Practice safe sex or abstain…there are just too many bad STDs out there.
