According to the findings of a survey by IPSOS, when asked what would be the most unpleasant way to die, those in the U.S. are most likely to say cancer, followed by a neurological disorder and a terrorist attack. This data shows the percentage of U.S. respondents who say select causes of death would be the most unpleasant way to die as of 2019.
Percentage of U.S. adults who thought the following were the most unpleasant ways to die as of 2019*
Characteristic
Percentage of respondents
Cancer
49%
A neurological disorder such as dementia or Parkinson's disease
30%
A terrorist attack
29%
An accident such as drowning, fire or a fall
26%
Interpersonal violence
17%
A transport injury such as a road accident
15%
Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
13%
A cardiovascular disease such as heart disease, strokes or heart failure
10%
HIV/AIDS or a sexually transmitted infection (STIs)
10%
A substance use disorder such as drug or alcohol addiction
8%
A digestive system disease such as cirrhosis or liver disease
7%
A lower respiratory infection such as pneumonia or tuberculosis
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Ipsos. (February 12, 2020). Percentage of U.S. adults who thought the following were the most unpleasant ways to die as of 2019* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved January 09, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1108969/unpleasant-ways-to-die-us-adults-opinion/
Ipsos. "Percentage of U.S. adults who thought the following were the most unpleasant ways to die as of 2019*." Chart. February 12, 2020. Statista. Accessed January 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1108969/unpleasant-ways-to-die-us-adults-opinion/
Ipsos. (2020). Percentage of U.S. adults who thought the following were the most unpleasant ways to die as of 2019*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: January 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1108969/unpleasant-ways-to-die-us-adults-opinion/
Ipsos. "Percentage of U.S. Adults Who Thought The following Were The Most Unpleasant Ways to Die as of 2019*." Statista, Statista Inc., 12 Feb 2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1108969/unpleasant-ways-to-die-us-adults-opinion/
Ipsos, Percentage of U.S. adults who thought the following were the most unpleasant ways to die as of 2019* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1108969/unpleasant-ways-to-die-us-adults-opinion/ (last visited January 09, 2025)
Percentage of U.S. adults who thought the following were the most unpleasant ways to die as of 2019* [Graph], Ipsos, February 12, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1108969/unpleasant-ways-to-die-us-adults-opinion/
