In the Netherlands, in 1995 approximately 9700 people explicitly requested euthanasia or assisted suicide, and EAS was performed approximately 3600 times. The most important reasons for not performing EAS when requested by a patient were that the patient died before EAS was performed, or that the physician refused the request.

In many countries health insurers, employers and especially governments are increasingly using pressure and coercion to enhance healthier lifestyles. For example by ever higher taxes on cigarettes and alcoholi..