mortality

Definition

The medical field's euphemism for death rate—how often people die from a particular condition. Statisticians use it to make dying sound academic; everyone else uses it to decide which diseases to fear most.

Example Usage

The mortality rate for untreated sepsis is 40%, which is why we throw antibiotics at it like confetti.

Origin

From Latin 'mortalitas' meaning 'liable to death,' used statistically since 17th century

Fun Fact

The leading cause of mortality globally is cardiovascular disease, but Americans are statistically more afraid of things that kill far fewer people, like sharks or terrorists.

Source: Epidemiology and public health terminology

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