The Likelihood of Death: A Morbid Actuarial Quiz

1 of 9

Who has a greater chance of dying?

A 65-year-old man

A 70-year-old woman

ANSWER: At every age, a woman is less likely to die than a male of the same age and even two, three, and five years older. The average American woman lives about 5 years longer than her male counterpart. Some researchers think this is because men tend to engage in risky behavior more often than women. The gap in life expectancy between men and women is narrowing, though. At every age, a woman is less likely to die than a male of the same age and even two, three, and five years older. The average American woman lives about 5 years longer than her male counterpart. Some researchers think this is because men tend to engage in risky behavior more often than women. The gap in life expectancy between men and women is narrowing, though.

2 of 9

You are more likely to die by...

Drowning

Falling

ANSWER: More than 20,000 people died after falling in 2006, whereas some 3,400 drowned. The falls category includes elderly people who suffered lingering injuries during a fall that ultimately led to death. More than 20,000 people died after falling in 2006, whereas some 3,400 drowned. The falls category includes elderly people who suffered lingering injuries during a fall that ultimately led to death.

3 of 9

Who is more likely to die at work?

A man

A woman

ANSWER: It's not even close. Though women account for 46% of the workforce, men accounted for 92% of the workplace deaths in 2006. The most common causes of death in the workplace are highway accidents, falls and being struck by an object, in that order. It's not even close. Though women account for 46% of the workforce, men accounted for 92% of the workplace deaths in 2006. The most common causes of death in the workplace are highway accidents, falls and being struck by an object, in that order.

4 of 9

Which kills more people ages 24 and younger?

Cancer

Car accidents

ANSWER: Though cancer gets often more press, car accidents claim more lives among children and young people. Though cancer gets often more press, car accidents claim more lives among children and young people.

5 of 9

You are more likely to live longer if you reside in...

South Dakota

Tennessee

ANSWER: People tend to live longer in the following areas: Hawaii, the California coast, the Pacific Northwest, the Northern Plains, coastal Southern Florida and along the I-95 Boston-Washington corridor. That doesn’t mean that moving to one of these places automatically makes you healthier, just that there’s an association between them and reaching an advanced age. People in the South and Appalachia, by comparison, tend to live shorter lives. People tend to live longer in the following areas: Hawaii, the California coast, the Pacific Northwest, the Northern Plains, coastal Southern Florida and along the I-95 Boston-Washington corridor. That doesn’t mean that moving to one of these places automatically makes you healthier, just that there’s an association between them and reaching an advanced age. People in the South and Appalachia, by comparison, tend to live shorter lives.

6 of 9

You are more likely to smoke if you earn...

$20,000/year

$80,000/year

ANSWER: Smoking rates are higher among people with lower incomes. Education is another key factor: The more schooling you've had, the less likely you are to smoke. The state with the fewest smoking deaths per capita, by the way, is Utah. The state with the most per capita is its neighbor, Nevada. Smoking rates are higher among people with lower incomes. Education is another key factor: The more schooling you've had, the less likely you are to smoke. The state with the fewest smoking deaths per capita, by the way, is Utah. The state with the most per capita is its neighbor, Nevada.

7 of 9

How much longer will the average Asian woman live than the average African-American man?

2 years

6 years

18 years

ANSWER: Asian women are the U.S. demographic group with the longest life expectancy, and African-American men are the group with the shortest. The gap is actually wider when you factor in where people live. For example, the average African-American male in Chicago will live 21 years less than the average Asian woman. Asian women are the U.S. demographic group with the longest life expectancy, and African-American men are the group with the shortest. The gap is actually wider when you factor in where people live. For example, the average African-American male in Chicago will live 21 years less than the average Asian woman.

8 of 9

You are more likely to reach the age of 90 if you are...

Single

Married

Formerly married (divorced, separated, or widowed)

ANSWER: Being married is better for your longevity than being single, divorced, or widowed. This is because, according to one actuary, "[s]pouses tend to be solicitous of each other’s health, and married men are more likely to follow regular patterns of eating, less likely to smoke or drink to excess, than their non-married counterparts." Being married is better for your longevity than being single, divorced, or widowed. This is because, according to one actuary, "[s]pouses tend to be solicitous of each other’s health, and married men are more likely to follow regular patterns of eating, less likely to smoke or drink to excess, than their non-married counterparts."

9 of 9

You are more likely to die of...

Suicide

Homicide

ANSWER: Suicide was nearly two times more common than homicide during 2006, the last year for which statistics are available. Men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women. Suicide was nearly two times more common than homicide during 2006, the last year for which statistics are available. Men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women.

The Likelihood of Death: A Morbid Actuarial Quiz

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