[Part of Brainsnap's ongoing series examining important cultural trends shaping the future.]

When talking about coming demographic changes in the United States, commentators routinely overlook the impact zombies will have. Now, a small zombie-advocacy group is working to correct that.

Progress for the Undead Through Rights, Integration and Dignity (PUTRID) says a number of factors are conspiring to raise the representation of the undead in domestic industry - or simply to raise the undead, as the case may be.

"This has been a long struggle for zombies," says Glenda Smallmoth, a necrosociologist at Case Western University. "It's a trend that can't be stopped, anymore than hordes of the undead can be stopped by bullets or axes or chainsaws."

Professor Smallmoth lists a number of contributing factors: Baby boomers retiring from long-held jobs, health care costs rising precipitously, and competition from impoverished foreign workers who might as well be undead for their working conditions and wages.

Supporters point to potential savings in health care, workers compensation claims, and laxer safety restrictions.

They also note that popular culture is increasingly depicting zombies in positive roles as well, although zombie rights groups say there is a long way to go.

PUTRID admits there are many prejudices to be combated. "Several pro-human/pro-mortal groups have threatened boycotts of companies that recruit zombies," a spokescorpse told Brainsnap.

"We don't want cold, lifeless, anti-social cretins with a penchant for human blood infesting our workplaces and communities," said Dennis Dembloski, a line worker at Corrugated Conglomerates in Houston, Texas.

Smallmoth responded, "I've got news for these people: Zombies are already entrenched in the workforce. In fact, they're disproportionately represented in middle management."

"In the future, we'll have to refrain from using the term 'able-bodied Americans' as that could be construed as discriminatory."