In the state of Georgia, not every death requires an autopsy to be performed by the coroner or medical examiner. An autopsy is mandatory when a person dies due to violence, suicide, drug overdose, or in a suspicious manner and without regaining consciousness when admitted to a hospital (Warshauer Law Group, 2020). In addition, deaths of children under the age of 7 and suspicious deaths of adolescents under the age of 16 require an autopsy to determine the cause of death (Warshauer Law Group, 2020). This discussion post will consider the number of autopsies performed in Whitfield County, GA, the average autopsy rate, and the leading causes of death in the county.
There is scarce information on the number of autopsies performed past 2018 due to the reports not being available to the public. According to financial reports released by the Finance Director’s Office, the average number of autopsies carried out in the county per year is 48 (Finance Director’s Office, 2019). For example, in 2017, 56 autopsies were ordered in Whitfield County, while in 2014 and 2016, only 43 exams were performed (Finance Director’s Office, 2018; Finance Director’s Office, 2019). Data from the Georgia Department of Public Health illustrates that from 2014 to 2018, 4,165 people died in Whitfield County, GA (Online Analytical Statistical Information System, 2020). Thus, in 2014, 783 people died in the country, with 855 dying in 2018 (Online Analytical Statistical Information System, 2020). Considering these numbers, it can be inferred that approximately 5.5-6.5% of all deaths in Whitfield County were autopsied from 2014 to 2018.
The leading causes of death in Whitfield County can help illustrate why the number of autopsies is low. In the county, most deaths are attributed to heart diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases, stroke, and unintentional injuries (Hamilton Health Care System, 2019). Thus, only the deaths that occurred due to an accident would legally require an autopsy to be performed. Overall, the autopsy rate in Whitfield County, GA, is relatively low.
References
Finance Director’s Office. (2018). Whitfield County, Georgia FY 2017 Budget. Whitfield County, Georgia Finance Director’s Office.
Finance Director’s Office. (2019). Whitfield County, Georgia FY 2018 Budget. Whitfield County, Georgia Finance Director’s Office.
Hamilton Health Care System. (2019). Community health needs assessment.
Online Analytical Statistical Information System. (2020). Number of Deaths, Whitfield County, GA, 1994-2020. OASIS.
Warshauer Law Group. (2020). Can I order an autopsy for my loved one who died?