Troubling statistics and a sad reflection on our "modern" and "civilized" world @penguinpablo. Sadly, I think you are quite right that we cannot expect any change, anytime soon. Seems to me many of the things that ail us are "Reagan Era" problems, when a "me first" social attitude started to take hold and many started valuing "things" higher than people.

The chronic accumulation of wealth with total disregard to the impact it has on others might almost be viewed as a disease, and only a change in social values will change that. Consider this: If someone hoards endless stacks of newspapers creating a risk to their surroundings, we call them "hoarders" and send them for psychological help. If someone hoards endless wealth, creating a risk to their surroundings we call them "a success" and people aspire to be like them. Doesn't that seem a little unbalanced?