The politics of physician-assisted death: California's Proposition 161 and attitudes of the elderly.

Abstract

Physician-assisted death is a particularly relevant subject for the elderly since end-of-life issues affect them sooner rather than later. This article examines both the macro (aging interest group) and micro (individual) advocacy levels, using Proposition 161, The California Death With Dignity Act, as a case study. To determine old-age interest group attitudes and activism, we explored their advocacy levels on the ballot measure. Public opinion polls and a survey that was administered exactly one week prior to the November 1992 election at the Pasadena Senior Center in Pasadena, California helped measure individual attitudes and beliefs regarding active euthanasia.