Deaths to Despair

Anne Case and Angus Deaton's 'Deaths to Despair' investigates the rising mortality rates among white, non-Hispanic Americans, particularly those without a college degree.

The book highlights deaths due to suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related liver disease, which they term 'deaths of despair.

' It explores the socio-economic factors contributing to this crisis, including declining job opportunities, weakened social safety nets, and the opioid epidemic.

The authors argue that these factors have led to a sense of hopelessness and despair, particularly in communities that have experienced economic decline.

They also discuss the role of the healthcare system and the pharmaceutical industry in exacerbating the problem.

The book provides a comprehensive analysis of a critical public health issue and offers potential solutions to address the underlying causes of despair.