Last week, during our broadcast about the psychology of decision making, one of our guests said that almost twice as many deaths are caused by stomach cancer as are caused by car accidents. That sounded strange to NPR's crack science correspondent Richard Harris, who took the time to check it out. According to the National Safety Council, in 1996 there were 43,300 American deaths due to car accidents. These figures are for all Americans, regardless of age.
Risk factors vary among different groups, depending on age and other factors.
Thanks to all of you who took the time to write or call in questioning that statistic. Science Friday regrets the error.