Physicians Create List of Who Will Live and Who Will Die in Pandemic/Disaster Scenario

In a move that sounds eerily like a disaster-based science fiction movie, doctors have created a list of who to let die should a pandemic or other widespread disaster hit.

"If a mass casualty critical care event were to occur tomorrow, many people with clinical conditions that are survivable under usual health care system conditions may have to forgo life-sustaining interventions owing to deficiencies in supply or staffing," according to the report.

Who is out of Luck?

• People older than 85
• People with severe trauma
• Severely burned patients older than 60
• People with severe mental impairment
• People with severe chronic disease

The bottom line, to predict your future health status, look at your current health habits. Make sure you are making the best decisions possible when it comes to your health.

WashingtonPost.com May 5, 2008