‘Deaths of despair’ among working-class white men in the rust belt

Cleveland.com ^ | 2023 | Jeff Bloodworth

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Centered in the rust belt, deaths of despair are a national scourge. Since 2000, working-class white Americans have defied demographic trends by experiencing declines in life expectancy.

In the last decade, according to the Ohio Alliance for Innovation in Population Health, nearly 2 million Ohioans have died from “deaths of despair.” That makes the Buckeye state second only to West Virginia in this category. Tragically, the Ohio Valley leads the nation in the rise of deaths for those between 25 and 65.

Individually, they are senseless. Families are left to ponder how their child died a drug-addled death in a junk-bucket minivan while idling in a dodgy parking lot.

Out of sheer luck and happenstance, I avoided this outcome. Once a high school dropout, I bumbled into college. I found meaning in the study of the recent past. Equipped with that and a cushy academic job, I gained the requisite “exit velocity” to move beyond class dysfunction. But I am never far from my roots. In trying to bring attention to this epidemic, I have been told point-blank by editors and various gatekeepers that any notice given to “deaths of despair” detracts from the social justice efforts for the historically marginalized.

I’m left to ponder when social justice became a zero-sum game.

[Cronos]

You are correct. Large factories employing thousands won’t exist

[Cronos]

Somewhat agree with you. Large corporations are a problem with leveraged buyouts, chasing after quarterly retetc. Smaller companies should be better

[Cronos]

Hmm... good points. Very good points

[Ditto]

Families are left to ponder how their child died a drug-addled death in a junk-bucket minivan while idling in a dodgy parking lot.“

Sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll. It's all great, until the grim reaper shows up. More victims of LBJs Great Society.

[Veto!]

I remember well, “Hot damn, Viet Nam”

I was flying from Chicago to San Franciso, and the stewardaess would not serve a drink to a young man seated across from me who wasn’t old enough. I asked him what he was drinking and bought some from the Stew. Always hoped he didn’t die in that bloodbath.

[Secret Agent Man]

They need to enckurage these men to be single. Get back to a life of peace and calm, and control over their lives. Be able to have their hobbies they enjoy again. Be able to hang out with their friends and do things together agsin. They will live so much longer.