A Downfall in Critical Illness Death Rates

Today, the chance for someone to survive a critical illness is increasing. Medical achievements have made it possible for critically ill people to stay alive longer. So has the cancer researches done. Thousands of people who would not have survived a decade ago may still be alive today. For example around 80 percent of women suffering from a critical illness such as breast cancer may still be alive 5 years later. But along with this increase in survival rate one may need more financial help to cope with expensive medical charges.

According to the National Statistics Online 2007, during the years 1998-2001, around 80 percent of women may have survived a critical illness like breast cancer, followed by 62 percent for cervix cancer, 57 percent for bladder cancer and approximately 46 percent for colon cancer. As for men, 71 percent may have survived a critical illness such as prostate cancer, followed by 60 percent for bladder cancer and around 45 percent for colon cancer.

Furthermore, figures may also reveal that there may be about 1.2 million people living today after having undergone a critical illness like heart attack. According to, www.heartstats.org, March 2007, it is estimated that death rates for people under the age of 75 have decreased by 39 percent over the last 10 years. Having a critical illness like heart attack can be prevented. But there are certain measures that must be taken in order to achieve this. Not smoking, lessening of alcohol intake, well balanced diet and daily exercise may somehow reduce the probability of having a heart attack or stroke.

Additionally, as per www.heartstats.org, March 2007, it can be said that 2.6 million people living today may have already undergone an intervention a critical illness such as coronary heart disease. Also, for people under the age of 65, the expectancy of death may have fallen by 44 percent in the last 10 years. In the year 1970, around 80 people over a population of 100,000 may have suffered from coronary heart disease. Then in the year 1980, the death rate due to this critical illness slightly increased. The figures then recorded were around 83 people over 100,000. In the year 1990, a heavy downfall was noted. Statistics read around 60 people out of a population of 100,000. Afterwards, in the year 2000, the readings were even more encouraging with 35 people out of 100,000 suffering from CHD. Finally in the year 2003, nearly 30 people over an amount of 100,000 suffered from this critical illness.

Think about your family getting the news that you are suffering from a critical illness. Suddenly, the atmosphere at your place may change into a stressful one. Having a critical illness means money implications to bear the cost of possible medical fees. And the loss of your income may be the worst one as the daily household need to be kept running. Critical illness insurance may ease you out of this dilemma should you be unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with a critical illness. As per www.tickbox.net July 2006, 72 percent of people in the UK may still not have a critical illness cover. Therefore, if you are not yet insured, you may think about protecting your family first. You may then arrive to the decision of taking out a critical illness cover, may be easily affordable than you might have thought.