Legalized Physician-Assisted Suicide in Oregon – the Second Year

Data on terminally ill Oregon residents who received prescriptions for lethal medications under the Oregon Death With Dignity Act in 1999 are reported. Information on 33 persons was reported to the Oregon Health Division. The median age of the 27 patients who died in 1999 was 71 years. The most frequent underlying illnesses were cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patient requests appeared to be motivated by several factors, including loss of autonomy.