How many kids die attending college between the ages of 18-22 compared to?

Question

the number of kids that have died in Iraq? I have a son graduating HS this year which one is the safer option Military or college? Not asking for opinions here but only facts. Many many kids die every year in that age range. What is the highest cause of death for that age range? Also I would like to look at the real facts here, please direct me to some stats.

Answer 1

Well raw numbers don't really mean anything (probably more college kids die, but there are a lot more kids in college vs Iraq). Suicide and accidents are the leading causes of death in that age range (check out www.cdc.gov). But that doesn't mean every kid in college is at equal risk. If a kid has a car, they are more likely to die in a car accident than if they don't. If you want to see the figures on Iraq, check out www.defenselink.mil They list annual figures for every year since WWII (some years in the peaceful early 80s were worse than the past 4 years due to training accidents).

VT500, while I agree with your numerator regarding the death toll in Iraq, the 4000 is over 5 years. And that at any given time there are approximately 250,000 personnel in Iraq. But your need to turn the 4000 into an annual figure if you are going to compare it to the CDC figure (which is an annual rate).

I've been doing statistics and epidemiology professionally for over 25 years, and have worked on both data sets. I'd say it's more like 8 to 10 times more likely, rather than the 40 times more likely you say. The 18 - 22 demographic is very accident prone and self destructive, especially males. In fact in some instances (say during Bosnia), soldiers stationed in Bosnia were actually "safer" than soldiers stationed at bases in the U.S.

But your basic point is correct, that it is much safer at a U.S. college, especially given that most risk is avoidable. And that any high profile event that takes place on a campus is blown way out of proportion by a ratings driven media.

Answer 2

You need to look at what job your refiring to in the military. While all jobs have risks, there are certin jobs that put it members at more risk then others. An Air Force Crew Chief for a F-16 Fighter while still in harms way, isn't even on the same sheet when compared to the dangers of being a Marine infantryman serving in a line company. When you look at it fromt his persepective, depending on your job it is sometimes safer to deploy to Iraq then to be living in the states having to worry about some college kid hitting you while he was drinking and driving.

CNN.com used to have a break down of casualties by age, race, branch, paygrade and a few other factors if your really that intrested.

Answer 3

I dont know exact numbers (sorry) but the highest cause of death for high school students is drinking related.

Drunk Driving
Alcohol Poisoning

Also a lot of drug problems as well.


Honestly, military has it's danger's too, but I think it's safer and better then college. I went military and am very glad I did. And I can still take college classes.

Answer 4

2 years is in all probability an desirable age hollow. My brother and that i are 4 years aside (it became merely meant to be 2, yet my mothers and dads had to objective for a twelve months till now finally getting pregnant with him). i think of it became demanding on the two one human beings because of the fact he hated having to attend 4 years to do the flaws I have been given to do first. And while i became youthful i could no longer bypass some places without bringing him alongside. We did play jointly, yet when I reached 10 or 11 the age distinction grew to develop into extra of a situation from then on. we are close now, yet did no longer have an incredible relationship till i became out of highschool. Our age hollow in all probability could have been less complicated if we've been the two an analogous intercourse. although that's a great adventure having a brother because of the fact all my acquaintances have been females.

Answer 5

Couldn't find anything that general, but keep in mind not everyone in Iraq falls into the age group you mentioned...


http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2002-04-09-drinking-deaths.htm

In Silverman's study, the suicide rate for college students was 7.5 deaths per 100,000, which is about half the rate of their noncollege peers, a difference experts attribute to support networks available at colleges.

Answer 6

Your question seems kind of stacked there, don't you think?? I did both, college and military. Wasn't so good at college, but my military career has been pretty awesome. After 17 years, I have few regrets. If this is something your son really wants to do, you should let him. Honestly, I think you have more of a fear of the danger than what there actually is.

Answer 7

You're genuinely asking if being shipped off to Iraq is less dangerous than going to college? I will attempt to anser this question seriously though I am laughing uncontrollably. Go to cdc.gov and check out the death rates of kids in the 18-22 age group. You will note that the death rates for people this age are incredibly low, less than 40 per 100,000, and that the leading cause of death is accidents. By contrast we have something like 4,000 dead American soldiers from the conflict in Iraq out of roughly 250,000 soldiers that have served. This equates to a death rate of 1,600 per 100,000. So roughly, your kid is at least 40 times more likely to die in Iraq than he is attending keg parties in the US...

Answer 8

Seriously, are you actually considering the direction of your son's life based on whether he is more likely do die from a road side bomb or alcohol posioning at a frat party? It's good youre concerned but just let him do what he wants...