Holiday Season Increases Risks of Death

The holiday season has been found to increase risks of death, a recent study suggests.

Numerous studies done in the past have shown that people have a much higher chance of dying on Christmas Day, the day after Christmas or on New Year's Day than any other day of the year. The statistics are true especially for people who pass away due to natural causes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that this type of death accounts for 94 percent.

Researchers named the five most common diseases that result in death during the holiday season. This includes heart disease, various types of cancers, respiratory disease, digestive diseases and circulatory problems. The only age group safe from experiencing these illnesses during the season is children. David P. Phillips, top author on a number of research studies noticed a trend in deaths after examining U.S death certificates. Phillips and his team of associates looked into the number of people who died while in emergency settings as well as those who were pronounced dead on arrival between 1979 and 2005.

A newer study conducted this year found that patients were admitted into hospitals as emergencies on major holidays are considerably more likely to die than individuals who were admitted on another day. The reason for this phenomenon could not be explained by the scientists, but theories may be present. An obituary writer for a newspaper in Florida said that he started to notice an increase in his nworkload during the holiday season. He wondered, maybe the sadness or stress of Christmas and New Year is one of the most reason for these deaths.