A new study published in a leading journal of the American Medical Association highlights an important issue: the lack of public awareness about medical aid in dying in the U.S. and the limited access to this option.
Medical aid in dying is a widely supported and time-tested end-of-life option. It allows terminally ill, mentally capable adults with a prognosis of six months or less to request a prescription for medication that they can choose to self-ingest, allowing them to die peacefully in their sleep.
The study reveals that many Americans would be interested in medical aid in dying yet are uncertain about its legality and availability. This lack of awareness is not unique to the issue of medical aid in dying and reflects the need for greater public education about all end-of-life healthcare options.
In an online survey of 3,227 U.S. adults, researchers found:
Despite a lack of awareness, the study also revealed significant interest in medical aid in dying. When asked if they would definitely or probably consider medical aid in dying if diagnosed with a terminal illness, the following said yes:
Although there is widespread interest, medical aid in dying is currently authorized in only 10 states and Washington D.C. Two states, Oregon and Vermont, permit non-residents to access medical aid in dying, yet many people are unaware of this. If you are a non-resident considering pursuing medical aid in dying, you can learn more about doing so in Oregon here (pg. 4-5) and Vermont here (pg. 4-5).
This survey underscores several takeaways, including the need for greater public education about end-of-life options, like medical aid in dying, and increased access to it.
Both knowledge about and access to medical aid in dying are vital for making informed end-of-life choices that align with one’s wishes, values, and priorities.
As the study concludes, this research “highlights the need for public education, policy initiatives, and patient-clinician discussions to ensure equitable access to patient-centered end-of-life options and informed decision-making.”
Notably, this study helps fill the gap in the literature about medical aid in dying in the U.S. It is not a frequently covered topic and much of the existing research examines the issue from an international perspective. This study, published in a top peer-reviewed medical journal, focuses exclusively on the U.S.—providing reliable and valuable insights into American attitudes and knowledge about medical aid in dying within the context of our unique legal landscape.
Additional research on medical aid in dying in the U.S. will further contribute to public education on this important issue and address the knowledge gaps that persist.
Compassion & Choices is leading efforts to authorize, implement, and defend medical aid in dying so that all terminally ill people who are eligible will have access to the full range of end-of-life options.
Join us in this work to improve care and expand options at the end of life:
Mail contributions directly to:
Compassion & Choices Gift Processing Center
PO Box 485
Etna, NH 03750
Compassion & Choices is a 501 C3 organization. Federal tax number: 84-1328829
