Deaths of despair

Sir Angus Deaton on why white America is killing itself and why Australia should be worried

Professor Glyn Davis

Published 31 May 2017

Episode 23

Working class middle aged white Americans are killing themselves, and in large numbers. An epidemic of overdoses, suicides and alcohol related illness has caused a surge in in deaths since 1999 - and Australia might be next.

In the Policy Shop podcast Nobel prize winner Professor Sir Angus Deaton discusses his groundbreaking co-authored research which paints a stark and sobering picture within the world’s most developed nation.

He considers the influence of lobbying on the US medical profession, the reasons why the US did not develop a welfare system, the death of the American Dream and the narratives being used to explain the election of US President Donald Trump.

Episode recorded: 24 May 2017 The Policy Shop producer: Eoin Hahessy Audio engineer: Gavin Nebauer Banner image: Pixabay

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