Physician clarifies mortality myths during Ghost Month

Physician Huang Hsuan has addressed common myths regarding the Ghost Month, noting that scientific data does not support the idea that overall mortality rates increase during this period. Research from Hong Kong analyzing data from 1995 to 2000 showed no significant rise in deaths for men or the general population during the seventh lunar month.

Interestingly, data from Taiwan indicates that drowning deaths actually decrease by approximately 23% during this time. This is attributed to cultural taboos that discourage swimming in rivers or oceans, thereby reducing human exposure to dangerous waters.

Furthermore, medical trends show that scheduled procedures are often shifted to avoid the month. A study of 1.75 million births in Taiwan revealed a significant drop in C-section rates during the seventh lunar month, with many families opting for earlier deliveries in the sixth month. While cultural traditions regarding moving or weddings are common, medical experts warn that delaying essential treatments, such as cancer surgeries or emergency care for chest pain, due to superstition poses a genuine health risk.