Today, it looks the number of Americans who die increases every year. While this may or may not be true, the number of people who die now is much lesser that we had in the 19th century. This does not mean however that the mortality rate in America is not something to be concerned about, especially for middle-aged people. Statistics show that they die more than the younger and older age groups.

Given that they make up a majority of the workforce, it is disturbing to know that more middle-aged white Americans are dying now than before. The situation is so worrying that researchers have tried to look into the cause of the problem. The experts classified this mortality as “deaths of despair,” inserting suicide, drug and alcohol poisoning, liver disease into the classification.

Originally published in 2015, the researchers have restructured the study to link up an increase in mortality with economic despair and social dysfunction. While the deaths of despair remain high, researchers note that not achieving at least a college degree is also a major contributor to an increased mortality.

Without a college degree, it is difficult to get a good job. And this plays on the social well-being of an individual. More significantly, people with a college degree are educated enough to not fall prey to drug addiction. A few may become recalcitrant, but most of them will rather find something useful to do. The 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that those with a college degree were less likely to become addicted to drugs than those who don’t make it that far in their education.

While studies continue on this issue, one thing clear fact remains; middle-aged white Americans are dying now more that in the past and this is an extremely worrying situation. Perhaps it is time to make an effort to save every situation that could lead to a death of despair in America.

The availability of more jobs could be a possible solution. Also, it is a great idea of young people to concentrate in school so they could get a college degree and pick up something for themselves when they become middle aged. N one will be happy loosing middle-aged citizens who should drive the country to prosperity.