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Dead on Arrival: Is the PFD Killing Alaskans?While payday is always a good day, a new study in the Journal of Public Economies has found it could be deadly.Related Content
While payday is always a good day, a new study in the Journal of Public Economies has found it could be deadly.
University of Notre Dame economist William Evans studied four major demographic groups, including those who receive Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend check. Evans found that mortality rates significantly increased the week after PFD checks arrived in the recipients’ mailboxes or bank accounts. The study attributes the causes to people becoming more active after getting paid with some of the behavior and activity naturally increasing risk. The three causes of death with the largest increases were substance abuse, accidents and heart attacks. |
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doris said on Tuesday, Jul 5 at 11:21 AM
we are very thankful for the PFD it helps a lot of people in Alaska don't write something about us in Alaska if you don't know what your talking about people will use booze and drugs anytime don't blame the PFD
70186301Bunny said on Monday, Jul 4 at 3:10 PM
In the rural villages, we have a chance to purchase a snowmachine or outboard motor so that we can hunt for food by pulling our dividends together as a family.
70145022Chickenalaska said on Monday, Jul 4 at 12:10 PM
No difference of getting a PFD and getting your pay check. Anytime you get money you SPEND It!!Just look at all the accidents that happen when you go shopping.Duuuuuuuuuh!
70139602wow said on Friday, Jul 1 at 9:36 PM
lets all get together and build a tower to god and see if he will divid the whole world again we all speak the same and the world is going crazy
70042862herman48 said on Friday, Jul 1 at 9:21 PM
Yes, LOI, go home. The sooner the better. Those who make unsupported generalizations about ALL the people of a state, be it Alaska o California, are not my favorite people. You don't know anything about Alaskans. Maybe it's YOUR attitude that made the people with whom you came in contact act in a negative manner.
70042556Tatalina said on Friday, Jul 1 at 5:39 PM
I work in the hospitality industry, and one morning, I had a phonecall from someone from (I believe) New York, that had the nerve to say, "So, all you guys do up there in the winter is drink and do drugs, right?" I was obviously annoyed and corrected this clueless gentleman. I explained that noooo, we are not all sitting up here stoned and pissing ourselves drunk (didn't say those exact words, of course!) I don't understand how we have gotten such a poor reputation! And as far as my PFD goes, yes, it helps pay the ridiculously expensive fuel oil and gives me a little help with Christmas. I consider it a blessing and in this day and age, any money helps!
70034126LOl said on Friday, Jul 1 at 11:00 AM
"outsiders" "sob's". Seems you "real" Alaskans slam ANYONE these days. I live in Alaska and certainly not from here and glad for that fact. I've never lived around so many hateful people ever. OH and yes, I know what's coming: "go back to the lower 48". Trust me, I will go HOME as soon as possible. You have a beautiful state with so much to offer but many attitudes I've encountered makes this one of the ugliest places I've ever visited or lived. good luck with that.
70016656Kay said on Friday, Jul 1 at 10:22 AM
Way to spin it!!!!!!!!!! Whoo-hoo, a "study" from the big league Notre Dame! Pay days at our house really DO make us engage in risky behavior. We venture out in rush hour traffic to *gasp* buy FOOD!
70014686AKWolf said on Friday, Jul 1 at 9:50 AM
In our home the PFD gets spent on bills or saving for the future, I love how this article makes all Alaskans look like drug addicts and alcoholics. For the select few who chose to spend their PFD that way, let them more for the rest of us who are responsible next year.
70012646Level-Headed said on Friday, Jul 1 at 9:15 AM
Wow...seriously folks, settle down. No one said anything about ending the PFD payments. No need to be all up arms. The writer isn't responsible for the facts, or findings. If you actually read the article, you'd see it was a study by an economist from the University of Notre Dame. It straight out says: "The three causes of death with the largest increases were substance abuse, accidents and heart attacks." Those causes of death weren't pulled out of his butt; it's based off of actual police/fire/death records. So yes, SOME Alaskans, not all...engage in risky behavior when they have large amounts of money in their hands, which can lead to death by overdosing, driving under the influence, and heart attack. And to the person who said the PFD should only be given to "true Alaskans who were born and raised here"...you have problems.
70010379Guess Who...... said on Friday, Jul 1 at 9:13 AM
There are soooo many comments I like and NO like button. :-( The outsiders are just jealous and need their 15 mins of fame.
70010326Leon said on Friday, Jul 1 at 8:55 AM
mind your on f*ckin* business! jealous SOB's
70009122Linda said on Friday, Jul 1 at 8:54 AM
The PFD is a small price for the environmental damage the oil fields are creating and don't forget, those people who complain about who gets PFD also benefits in the long run. The destructive lifestyles some people live is not to be blamed on the PFD, although getting a windfall in their desparate times may contribute to more of their behavior. If find it almost laughable when someone says they did a "survey" and wonder who did they survey? What population was their basis? S
70009046Anonymous said on Friday, Jul 1 at 8:49 AM
I'm still not sure what this PFD is. Obviously, I am very new to Alaska. I certainly don't think I have some entitlement to whatever or wherever that money comes from. Am I understanding that after a couple of years of residency a person is "entitled" to this PFD? Why? For being alive? Do I have it correct that every AK born child also gets this PFD. WOW!! Wait 'til all those lower 48's finds this out. A bonus for babies? Maybe the State of AK or whoever came up with this PFD thing needs to look at California (they don't even have a PFD) 'cause this beautiful state of AK is being exploited.
70008687AKBushMom said on Friday, Jul 1 at 8:34 AM
Love how an OUTSIDER figures this out.. Duh! All you have to do is watch the commercials and here them say it is PFD time and people die.. yea well if they are gonna drink their PFD then they are stupid and truly I dont mind them being removed from the genetics pool.. Oh and to kenai guy -- if they do a huge lump sum PFD like they are talking about -- we would get that AND still get our yearly checks.. Sorry outsiders -- the PFD is ours cause we earned it!! Deal with it!
70007611herman48 said on Friday, Jul 1 at 8:11 AM
The yearly check and Darwin work together. Those who do not go on a drinking spree or buy a snowmobile to ride drunk on a semi-frozen pond or river use the check to pay their bills, buy something nice, and keep on living.
70006147Emma said on Friday, Jul 1 at 8:11 AM
With all the starving & homeless children in this world, medical conditions that are life threatening and this is where some people waste their energies? I want the time it took me to read this article back!
70006137Alyssa said on Friday, Jul 1 at 7:56 AM
I guess that just means more money for those who are responsible with it. Not a terrible thing. I don't feel bad for people who watse their money on drugs and stupid things of that nature. I look at this money as a blessing. A chance to pay off debt. If you want to spend it on crack and die. I don't feel sorry.
70005191Lula said on Friday, Jul 1 at 7:46 AM
Any large paycheck/payday can cause the same phenomenon...people choose how they spend their money,if they choose booze and drugs then yes, that's going to cause problems. Most Alaskans choose to pay off debt, buy school clothes and supplies...and actually be able to get their children something nice for Christmas. Being a 3rd generation Alaskan I'm really sick of the stereotyping of all of us!
70004566no one said on Friday, Jul 1 at 7:08 AM
it the peopled hired to the State of AK office, that is not from Alaska!
70001951aklizzard said on Friday, Jul 1 at 6:57 AM
i don't want to die maybe we should give up the pfd to pay for roads and throw partys for the governer NOT i well take my chance's
70001251kenai guy said on Friday, Jul 1 at 6:15 AM
wow, i dont want to die. Guess the state should divide the pfd up to all who qualify. We could all have a bundle in the bank, and save many lives at the same time. Come on Alaska - divi up.
69998469lud larson said on Friday, Jul 1 at 5:37 AM
Geeze, what next?
69996177Sean said on Friday, Jul 1 at 3:03 AM
This study and article is gayer than when gay went to gay town!
69989372mike c said on Friday, Jul 1 at 2:14 AM
Facts are facts. The author was not writing about stopping the PFD, the meaning can just as well be against irresponsible behavior as against the dividend, probably more so.
69988376Up yours said on Friday, Jul 1 at 2:03 AM
I am surprised that this article was not written by Julie O'Malley. Actually I am not surprised that the author of this article didn't even post their name to this bunk article.
69988192Bush alaska said on Friday, Jul 1 at 1:57 AM
For individuals who get the PFD here in the bush is blessed to get them where I am from you have to pay 400.00 for at least 80 gallons of fuel which lasts about a month if you lucky and 6.00 a gallon for gas. For those who have dependants a gallon of milk is 10.00. Now for those who choose to buy alcohol and dugs well that is there problem not yours or mine. I think that the PFD is helping natives and non natives survive just one third of the cold winter here in Alaska it is just how you choose to spend it. For your information I am a female that makes for then the PFD alone, it helps me with the fuel that will last at least a month I get at least 100 gallons of fuel with that money
69988102bored now said on Friday, Jul 1 at 1:33 AM
It is certainly killing the Alaskan economy and polity. This was the most educated state per capita among the 50 in the late 70s - early 80s. Now it is packed with people who think "over educated idiot" is a pithy epithet. And they vote for people like Vic Kohring, who can be bought with $20 bills, because that is essentially what they are selling their state's resources to the Big 3 oil companies for themselves by treating the PFD as some sort of sacred entitlement. A small amount of free government money is all it takes to win over the most ardent anti-gubmint, git yer gubmint hands off my Medicare types.
69987516issungaq said on Friday, Jul 1 at 12:49 AM
whoever wrote this is just ridiculous.. fr what i remember PFD was supposidly meant for alaskans, i dont know how in the world it went by to allow those who arent truely alaskans born and raised here to earn it which i think is wrong, anywho money doesnt kill people, some people misuse it and not everyone does.. PFD killing alaskans, what a big joke!! LOL
69986352Myrna said on Friday, Jul 1 at 12:34 AM
I am sure who ever wrote this article knew they would receive a large responce. All can say is that I am having a difficult time writing this because I can not stop laughing. Im about to pee my pants.
69985789Time Bender said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 11:37 PM
Oh golly Gee,This Media should Clam up with thier media, and keep it to them selve's.
69984476Jessie said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 10:57 PM
When they conducted this study did they also take in to account that dividen time is also around the time we get the first snow of the year??? Just another over educated idiot.
69983897Anonymous said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 10:56 PM
My family like most we know use their PFDs to catch up on bills, get things for their kids that are necessary, pay off medical bills and maybe if all those things are already done then they can go visit family in the lower 48s. Sometimes they even have enough that they can save for emergencies. Living here in this wonderful state for the last 8 years, has been one of the greatest thrills in our lives. We love this state and work, buy and pay our taxes here. We also are over charged on basics, food, medical care and airfare, but that is our choice for living here. I don't know who did this study, but most Alaskan are not frivolous with their PFD, nor are they fool-hearty.
69983892Darwin said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 10:54 PM
There are similar correlations with typical paydays. It is pretty logical. People that would probably get themselves killed by destructive behavior, now have the resources to do it. No conspiracy in reporting here, and the it isn't a government study to scare the masses. It is just another piece of evidence that many humans are self-destructive.
69983861Whatthehaute!!!!!!!!!!! said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 10:46 PM
Hey! what are you doing? Are you jealous that we Alaskan are receiving the so called PFD????????? It help us a lot, and you do not have a business bringing up the subject about it. It help us pay our bills and put food in our table. Go to the cave and hide and do not come back. Leave us alone here in Alaska. You hear??????????? We do not need your opinion nor you give us money to buy food for our table, pay our utilities like phone, electric bill, water bill and gasoline in our car. Go away and leave us alone.
69983762Sinbad68 said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 10:44 PM
Who the Sam Hill payed for this stupid survey anyway? I hope to heck that it wasn't the state or the PFD.
69983721Nate C said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 10:43 PM
The federal government does not (it never in their minds) think that it has enough money in their greedy hands so they are going to try and scare it from us.
69983699Mike said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 10:42 PM
What an absolutely moronic article. Must be a really slow day at KTTU
69983686olddg said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 10:19 PM
My PFD catches up bills, buy,s food.I don,t know who the study was done on. People out of jail or oweing fines or the IRS have theirs garnished. I think this study is bull.
69983386ak49 said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 10:13 PM
Nobody else has seen the plates....dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb!
69983249Bob said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 10:04 PM
No accounting for some folks' actions. But it isn't the PFD's fault. C'mon a piece of paper ? Purely stupid.
69983122Darwin said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 9:45 PM
I'm a Liberal by the way. :)
69982799haha said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 9:45 PM
hahahahahahhahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahhahhahahahahahhahahaaahhhhhahahahhahahhahahaha choke.... DEAD
69982786Darwin said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 9:44 PM
Ah, survival of the fittest. Seems like the PFDs are improving the gene pool.
69982767Thanks said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 9:43 PM
More for me.
69982747Alaska said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 9:21 PM
This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard all day! Who are these people? Probably some rich SOB'S that really don't give a hoot about the PFD.....but as far as your everyday Alaskan goes WE NEED IT! The prices have hit the roof and quite frankly its gotten out of hand. The government is pushing Oil but doesn't really give a hoot about the people. I really wouldn't THINK about messing with our only saving grace the PFD! HOW RIDICULOUS!!!!!
69982211NECIA said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 9:18 PM
omg they will say anything to try to take away more and add more stress to us..who the hell are they to bother to study alaskas business everyone does not drink or smoke or anything else.it is a help to pay bills.noone can use it for a vacation like some seem to think it is a fortune abd people broke or rich will do whatever destructive thing they want..the fund has nothing to do with how people act..they got paid for a useless survey
69982159lisa said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 9:09 PM
Andrew, Your comment is appalling. What if I said "Send them back to Texas ... fill in the blank.
69981982Pat said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 8:45 PM
How can someone determine a demographic group by who is receiving a check~ Not~ The economist need to say he studied all Alaskans. as the entire population of the state receives a PFD...must really be grasping for news to print this garbage. I just surveryed 10 neighbors and found out nine out of ten eat Wheaties the other has oatmeal.~ my survery is a valid demographic group...I don't think so. Get a life KTVA~ unimpressed~
69981366Captain Compost said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 8:37 PM
So what? You can hide in your closet and be safe or you can live life to the fullest. We choose to live life to the fullest.
69981167Anna said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 8:31 PM
maybe if they had a life they wouldn't spend it on booze and drugs.
69980997Gunny G said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 8:11 PM
Dear Liberals, please leave the PFD alone and mind your own d*mned business. It is called FREE CHOICE, deal with it.
69980432Qanertua said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 8:06 PM
Testing.
69980281Qanertua said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 8:06 PM
Alcohol is number one killer in the US, not maarijua and money.
69980252butterfly said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 8:03 PM
inappropiate, KTVA, stop posting this type of racial article.
69980177butterfly said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 8:01 PM
real ignorant editorial. leave Alaska now you dont belong here. look at all the hungry families and kids that benefit from the PFD, put yourself in their shoes then talk!
69980086Kristen said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 7:27 PM
don't be jealous you lower 48ers of our PFD!! lol
69978722Anonymous said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 7:13 PM
actually winterwolf, you take top prize for ignorance. and you missed the message. but were quick to jump to conclusions. and yes you also hint of being racist no matter the marriage.
69978037chris said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 7:07 PM
amazing how everybody but us alaskans think differently..they just dont like the fact that there state takes their money.
69977722alaskanfreak said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 7:04 PM
its not pfd's fault for peoples death, i find this so hilarious!!! people die on their own by their own mistakes.. phff :D
69977632Winterwolf said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 7:00 PM
Um...wow...this has got to be one of THE stupidest articles I have ever seen! Ok you know, i'm married to someone who's native and so a lot of my inlaws are native and while i extremely dislike racism I admit more often than not, many natives do tend to spend their extra cash on booze...one of them actually gets over 20 grand a year from a native corporation shareholder and at least half of it goes to booze...where's the article stating that native money, or payday at work, or unemployment insurance is killing alaskans? Come on guys you're grasping at straws if this is what you need to fill in the gaps in your news reports
69977487Andrew said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 6:50 PM
Didnt the guys who did that study come from California? Well just send em back! Azzholes
69977012Don said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 6:35 PM
If they would leave the drugs and booze alone they would be able to enjoy the dividend. It is so sad that so many people think they have to drink it up or snort/smoke it up.
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