"All deaths from preventable causes are equally tragic"<p>I'll agree that they are tragic. I think it's an interesting topic to explore if they are <i>equally</i> tragic. Tragedy is is strongly based off of one's emotions.<p>For example, if someone dies because they did something stupid, a neutral third party would likely see that as less tragic than some innocent person who died at no fault of their own. Think childhood cancer vs gang member being shot.<p>When it comes to things like cardiovascular diseases, it seems that society has not prioritized those as being highly tragic. I assume this is because for the majority they are affected later in life, many may not truly be preventable (think of 90 yo grandma with a stroke), and for the ones what are preventable it is largely due to personal choice. The people doing the judging are likely making simular personal choices (less exercise, excessive consumption, etc). Basically the situation of how alcohol is legal - most people partake, and infrequent imbibing is not itself deadly but the cumulative or secondary effects can be.