Some Interesting Statistics
 Toots Gabriel - PVNN
December 02, 2010
Okay, okay, things are dangerous out there. We all know that. We all hear the scary news. Run for cover. I am going to present some recent statistics to help you all decide how you are going to manage to survive all of this terrible stuff we are hearing.
 |  | As is generally the case, one or two numbers or statistics have little value in a logical consideration unless there is something to compare them to. |  | | |
First of all, I'll start with the story (you've all heard it before, right?) that when the fellow learned that 90% of all accidents occur within 10 miles of home, he promptly moved away. If only we could all figure solutions out so simply!
There are, of course, recent news articles about one place in particular, Mexico. Stay away.
Particularly, what we hear about is murders in the drug trade. This generally involves the members of the trade itself but also has a spinoff effect in the police business and, ultimately, a spinoff into innocent bystanders such as locals and even visitors, in most cases known as tourists.
Yes, yes, last year alone we heard that between 30,000 and 40,000 individuals were murdered in Mexico. Ouch! Most of us, who think like non-violent human beings, would rationally say, "Stay Away!"
However, as is generally the case, one or two numbers or statistics have little value in a logical consideration unless there is something to compare them to. So, here are some comparisons.
Recent statistics tell us that:
• At least 36,000 people die from the flu each year in the USA. Oooh, that is awfully close to the number of murders in Mexico. What to do, what to do?
• At least 37,000 people die in US traffic deaths per year. Ditto.
• Jamaica's murder rate is more than double, per capita, than that of Mexico. Isn't Jamaica a tourist destination? Do you know anyone who was ever stupid enough to go there?
• In the USA, around 5 people per 100,000 die in traffic deaths per year. In Canada the rate is 1.8. In Liechenstein the rate is 0.00. Wouldn't we all want to drive around Liechenstein? In the Marshall Islands the rate is 1.7, still very low. In Eritrea (I have no idea where that is), the rate is 48.4. Now the scary thing for me here is that it sounds like a little country, maybe with few vehicles. Someone should check that out, please.
• All of these pale in size (pun intended) to the following statistic. Believe it or not, 112,000 people in the USA die of obesity each year.
Now, how do we take all this and apply it to our lives in a productive way? Certainly, I personally should begin by dieting. But really, overall, how do we solve the problem?
I guess I will have to sleep on that one. But wait a minute! How many people die in their sleep? |
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