Reaction to Article on Radio People Dying Younger

My recent opinion article, "7 Reasons Radio People Die Younger", drew some interesting response and comment.

Lee Logan from Shane Media Services wrote: "You might find it interesting that the Insurance Institute did a Predictive Index on radio people in 1996. Most likely preparing for consolidation, they wanted to know what to charge the new monoliths of broadcasting for their benefit packages. All of the reasons you cited in your article (stress and lifestyle being the most damaging) except the point about we radio folk being 'different,' were part of the Institute’s analysis...Their finding – on-air radio personalities life expectancy: men – 59, women – 61. It’s worse for PD’s and GM’s: men – 57, women – 60."

Stacy Richardson emailed me to say, "I agree with all of your reasons for the lack of longevity among radio professionals. The one I thought most revealing concerned loneliness...One other thing: you mentioned that perhaps 70% of the on-air people you've worked with have psychological 'issues.' I think that estimate to be a bit low. I think 70 percent of the people have obvious issues, which makes the other 30% seem sane."

Read it Now: 7 Reasons Radio People Die Younger

Radio's Macabre and Morose Side:
* Radio DJ Deaths: The "Crash Curse" And Oher Awful Ends
* The List of Murdered DJs and Radio Hosts