Death statistics, Census Bureau

The United States Census Bureau tracks our so-called vital statistics, which include life expectancies and rates and causes of death. Because this data is compiled by census and not for purposes of proving or disproving arguments specifically relating to chemical residues, it should provide us with an unbiased perspective on the health status of the United States. The annual compilation of these statistics will be the primary source of my data. They are readily accessible to anyone who looks (www.census.gov/statab). Let s go to the source. Table 4.1 is an abstract of the life-expectancy data from 1970 projected through the year 2010. In other words, for a baby born in the tabulated year, this is how long he or she is expected to live based on past life expectancies. 

Figure 1. Age-adjusted cancer death rates for selected sites, males, United States, 1930 to 1978. Standardized on the age distribution of the 1970 U.S. census population. Sources of data National Vital Statistics Division and U.S. Bureau of the Census. (Reproduced with permission from Ref. 70. Copyright 1982, American...

Data on fatal work injuries are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), 1995. This program, which has collected occupational fatality data nationwide since 1992, uses diverse data sources to identify, verify, and profile fatal work injuries. Information about each workplace fatality (occupation and other worker characteristics, equipment being used, and circumstances of the event) is obtained by cross-referencing source documents, such as death certificates, workers compensation records, and reports to Federal and State agencies. This method assures counts are as complete and accurate as possible. 

Because of the estimating procedure the National Safety Council statistics may undercount U.S. workplace fatalities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has also calculated worlq>lace fatality rates since the late 1930s but the scope of their survey has changed so dramatically that one cannot use the BLS data to identify a time trend. Nevertheless, the BLS s most recent data collection effort creates the most reliable source of information on fatal workplace accidents in the United States. 1 The BLS conducted a census of fatal occupational injuries for 1992 using data from death certificates, workers compensation claims, medical examiners records, autopsy reports, motor vehicle accident records, and OSH A and Mine Safety and Health Administration fatal injury reports. The BLS estimated Ae average worker in the United... 

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