Death trajectory

Duration refers to the period of time a patient has to live, which can be anywhere from imminent death to several months.

[2] Dying trajectories were first studied in the 1960s by two researchers, Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss, in an attempt to understand the end of human life from different ailments, including cancer.

These types of deaths include fatal accidents and inconspicuous health issues like myocardial infarction or severe stroke.

The chronic malady trajectory occurs with types of death caused by autoimmune diseases such as HIV or other incurable illnesses.

[5] In these cases, the death trajectory is based on how the mind and body degenerate, including the speed of organ failure.

Illustration of the premature death trajectory. There is a sharp decline in human function in a short period of time.
A chronic malady trajectory showing an overall decline in health with intermittent rises and falls in human function.
A typical natural death trajectory chronicling a long, steady decline in health over time.