DMala t1_jeffjer wrote on March 31, 2023 at 4:51 PM

Reply to comment by brightlocks in Massachusetts ranks 49th for states where you're most likely to die early by LuckyLaceyKS

Three of the five are New England, which is shocking. I’d expect it to be western states with lots of wide, high speed roads or ones with lots of heavy industry.

brightlocks t1_jefgio9 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 4:57 PM

It might be fishing? I’m really curious!

DMala t1_jefiyls wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:13 PM

I thought that too, but I’d think the industry is too small to have a big impact overall. Plus, if that were the case you’d expect MA to be higher. Places like New Bedford and Gloucester are much bigger commercial ports than anything in CT or RI as far as I know.

brightlocks t1_jefo36l wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:47 PM

OMG I just spent 15 minutes figuring it out - it’s overdoses. I knew it was bad, but didn’t realize how bad.

DMala t1_jefpdfa wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:55 PM

Ugh, that makes sense. It’s horrible, but it makes sense.

oscar-scout t1_jegker8 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 9:22 PM

Overdoses have to be a big factor in the "unintentional injuries" bucket. No one talks about it enough but CT has a series overdose pandemic going on, in particular, New Haven county. Most of these people go unnoticed or are estranged with their family so there are rarely any media stories on them. The big factor is the esplosion of fentanyl. Fentanyl is the real pandemic out there.