Citation

George DR, Studebaker B, Sterling P, Wright MS, Cain CL. J. Med. Humanit. 2023; 44(3): 347-367.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Springer)

DOI

10.1007/s10912-023-09795-0

PMID

37059900

PMCID

PMC10104767

Abstract

Deaths of Despair (DoD), or mortality resulting from suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol-related liver disease, have been rising steadily in the United States over the last several decades. In 2020, a record 186,763 annual despair-related deaths were documented, contributing to the longest sustained decline in US life expectancy since 1915-1918. This forum feature considers how health humanities disciplines might fruitfully engage with this era-defining public health catastrophe and help society better understand and respond to the crisis.

Language: en

Keywords

*Drug Overdose; *Suicide; Deaths of Despair; Humanities; Humans; Substance Abuse; Suicidality; United States