More people are dying at home than in hospitals

For the first time since the beginning of the 20th century, more people are now dying at home than in hospitals, according to research described in a new NEJM correspondence article. Here’s more: 

• Overall trends: In 2003, nearly 40% of deaths occurred in hospitals, but that dropped down to around 30% in 2017. In contrast, deaths at home increased from fewer than 1 in 4 in 2003 to almost 1 in 3 in 2017. 
• By demographics: Younger patients, female patients, and black patients were more likely to die in hospitals than older, male, and white patients. 
• By disease: Patients with cancer were most likely to die at home or in a hospice facility. At the same time, those with dementia most often died in nursing homes. Patients who had a stroke were least likely to die at home.

Read more from the authors in a new First Opinion for STAT here.