The Effects of Substitution on the Estimates of Causes of Death

Tornadoes were seen as more frequent killers than asthma, although the latter caused 20 times more deaths. Death by lightning was judged less likely than death from botilism even though it is 52 times more frequent. Editors cannot ignore the public's demand that certain topics and viewpoints receive extensive coverage. Unusual events such as bachilism attract disproportionate attention and are consequently perceived as less unusual than they really are.