Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Fun With Statistics
You know the old saying, "...lies, *&%# lies, and statistics." Think this falls into that category, or perhaps it reveals some truth?
(A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000.
(B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000.
(C) Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171.
Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services.
Now think about this:
(A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000
(B)The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1,500.
(C) The number of accidental deathsper gun owner is .000188.
Statistics courtesy of FBI
So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners. Remember, "Guns don't kill people, doctors do."
