Income and Military Deaths in Vietnam and Iraq Wars
Author Information
Author(s): Charles Maynard
Primary Institution: University of Washington
Hypothesis
What is the association between state per capita income and military service deaths in the Vietnam and Iraq wars?
Conclusion
There is a strong association between per capita income and war casualty rates for both the Vietnam and Iraq wars.
Supporting Evidence
- States with lower per capita income had higher ratios of deaths per population.
- In the Iraq war, women accounted for 2.4% of casualties.
- The correlation between deaths per 100,000 and per capita income was -0.51 for Vietnam and -0.52 for Iraq.
Takeaway
This study found that states with less money had more soldiers die in the Vietnam and Iraq wars.
Methodology
The study analyzed death records and state income data to find correlations between income and military deaths.
Potential Biases
There may be selection bias as individuals from poorer states might be more likely to join the military.
Limitations
The study used state population as the denominator instead of the number of combatants, which may not accurately reflect casualty rates.
Participant Demographics
The majority of deaths were among young, white enlisted men, with a notable increase in female casualties in the Iraq war.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.0001
Statistical Significance
p < 0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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