RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Celebrity traumatic deaths: Are gangster rappers really “gangsta”?
JF Canadian Journal of Surgery
JO CAN J SURG
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP E59
OP E62
DO 10.1503/cjs.019812
VO 56
IS 4
A1 Chad G. Ball
A1 Elijah Dixon
A1 Neil Parry
A1 Ali Salim
A1 Jason Pasley
A1 Kenji Inaba
A1 Andrew W. Kirkpatrick
YR 2013
UL http://canjsurg.ca/content/56/4/E59.abstract
AB Background: Celebrity injury-related deaths are a common topic of conversation and receive wide media coverage. Despite stereotypes and broad generalizations, it is unclear if the mechanisms of demise echo those of the general population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology underlying celebrity traumatic deaths.Methods: We evaluated all known injury-related deaths in celebrities (musicians, athletes, actors, politicians and celebrity socialites) that occurred between Jan. 1, 2000, and Sept. 1, 2011. Exclusion criteria were drug/alcohol overdoses and suicides. We used standard statistical methodology.Results: Among 389 celebrities who died because of their injuries, motor vehicle collisions remained the most common mechanism overall. Rappers and politicians had a higher proportion of deaths due to interpersonal violence than all other celebrities. Gunshot wounds were most common in these cohorts (83% and 63%, respectively). Rappers and athletes also died at a younger mean age than other celebrities. Sport-related deaths were most common in boxing and mixed martial arts. Additional mechanisms included airplane crashes, animal interactions and recreational activities.Conclusion: Despite occasionally exotic scenarios, most celebrities die of injury mechanisms similar to those of the general population. It is also apparent that rappers and politicians die by violent means at young and middle ages, respectively, more commonly than all other celebrities.