Table of Contents

Foreword 11

Introduction 14

Chapter 1 Causes of Death Worldwide

1 In Africa, Many Die from AIDS Annabel Kanabus Jenni Fredriksson-Bass Graham Pembrey 20

More people are affected by AIDS in Africa than in any other location in the world, leading to 1.5 million deaths in 2008 and more than 11 million orphaned children.

2 Scotland Experiences a Rise in Drug-Related Deaths Tanya Thompson 32

In Scotland, long-term drug abuse is leading to a rapid rise in deaths, particularly among those over forty-five years old.

3 Russia Is Facing a Death Crisis Nicholas Eberstadt 38

A terrifying increase in mortality rates caused by AIDS, cardiovascular disease, injury, poisoning, and alcohol abuse in Russia is drastically reducing life expectancy in the country.

4 In Uganda, Ritual Killings Are on the Rise New Vision 53

The worldwide economic downturn is leading to ritual killings in Uganda and throughout Africa, as people believe such killings will lead to an improvement in their financial well-being.

5 In Ireland, Suicides among Youth Are Increasing Kevin Malone 59

Early evidence from an Irish study on suicide suggests that the country is failing to recognize depression among young people and is thus not working to prevent the suicide of one young person a day, on average.

Periodical Bibliography 66

Chapter 2 End-of-Life Care

1 Worldwide, Organizations View Palliative Care as a Human Right Frank Brennan 68

2 In Africa, the Aged and Dying Need More Palliative Care Richard A. Powell Eve Namissango Jacquie Teera-Ssentoogo Boniface N. Mogoi Julia Downing Paul Cann Faith Mwangi Powell

Although the aging and aged population of Africa is heavily burdened with disease, palliative care that would provide effective pain management for the terminally ill is nearly nonexistent.

3 In Latin America, HIV/AIDS Patients Have Minimal Access to Palliative Care Open Society Institute 89

Patients with terminal HIV/AIDS suffer from pain, and thus must have access in palliative care. In Latin America, however, only 5-10 percent of patients who need such care receive it.

4 Italy Is Slow to Adopt Palliative Care Francesca Crippa Floriani 97

A combination of too few palliative care training opportunities and a general fear of opiates has left Italy slow to adopt the palliative care model for end-of life care, although progress has been made since 1999.

5 In the United States, Physician-Assisted Death Is Controversial Nathanael Johnson 106

Physician assisted death is legal in the state Oregon, and most of those polled favor making it legal for doctors to give terminally ill patients the means to end their lives.

6 In the United Kingdom, Terminally III Patients leave the Country in Search of Life Ending Drugs: AP Online 117

Because euthanasia is illegal in Britain, terminally ill patients travel to Switzerland to receive drugs that will let them end their lives.

7 In the United Kingdom, End-of-Life Care Provides for a Home Death Melanie Henwood 122

In 2008, the British Department of Health began a program to allow people to receive the extra care they need if they wish to die at home rather than in a hospital.

8 In Germany, Television Provides Information About Death and Dying Charles Hawley 131

A television channel in Germany offers helpful information about death and end of-life concerns twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Periodical Bibliography 137

Chapter 3 Death, Dying, and Religion

1 Religion Influences Attitudes Toward Death Worldwide Anna Oronska 139

Attitudes toward death in the four major religions of Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam include respect for death and the desire for a dignified death.

2 In the United States, Many Religious and Cultural Traditions Influence Death Rituals Sandra L. Lobar JoAnne M. Youngblut Dorothy Brooten 149

Religious beliefs lead to ceremonies and rituals before and after death, which are performed by the families of dying people from a variety of cultures living in the United States.

3 In Thailand, Buddhist Beliefs about Karma Affect End-of-Life Care Kittikorn Nilmanat Annette F. Street 156

A study of care given in four Thai people dying from AIDS revealed how Buddhist Thai caregivers provided care based on their interpretation of karma in the life of life dying person.

4 In India and Around the World, Hindus Have Rituals for Honoring the Dead Lavina Melwani 170

Hindus around the world follow specific rituals alter the death of a loved one, and although traditions may vary from country to country, the ceremonies are outlets for pain and grief.

5 In Mexico, a Death Cull Thrives Bess Twiston Davies 175

The cult of Santa Muerte, or Saint Death, has grown in popularity among members of Mexico's drug community, in spite of condemnation by the Roman Catholic Church.

6 In the Middle East, Suicide Bombings Have a Religious Foundation David Bukay 181

Suicide bombers justify their actions through an appeal to the Islamic belief in jihad, or holy war.

Periodical Bibliography 191

Chapter 4 Funeral Practices Throughout the World

1 In the United States, Eco-Burials Are Becoming Popular Valerie Streit 193

In the United States, many environmentally friendly options for disposing of human remains exist.

2 In Uganda, Burial Societies Help Grieving Families Ben Jones 199

The costs of funerals are born by burial societies made up of members who pay a fee to belong. When a family member dies, the burial society organizes the funeral and covers the expenses.

3 Japanese Funerals Are Based on Tradition Hiroko Nakata 204

Japan has many traditional customs concerning funeral arrangements that may be unfamiliar to those from other countries.

4 The United Kingdom Must Find New Ways to Dispose of the Dead John Naish 211

Because Britain is quickly running out of cemetery land for traditional burials, and cremations are polluting the air with mercury emissions, the country is exploring new technologies to aid in the disposal of dead bodies.

Periodical Bibliography 218

For Further Discussion 219

Organizations to Contact 221

Bibliography of Books 225

Index 229