Suicide-Related Statistics
The number of suicides in 2009 surpassed those for motor vehicle accidents for the first time.
Between 2000 to 2009 MVA fatalities declined by 7,138 deaths or 16.5%, while, in contrast, suicide deaths rose by 7,559 or by 25.8%. Homicides remained relatively constant, increasing by only 34 cases or 0.2%.
Death Rates from Suicide* for Persons Aged 45–64 Years, by Black or White Race and Sex — United States, 1999–2008
* Per 100,000 population. Deaths from suicide are those coded *U03, X60-X84, Y87.0 in International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision.
The number of suicides in 2009 surpassed those for motor vehicle accidents for the first time.Between 2000 to 2009 MVA fatalities declined by 7,138 deaths or 16.5%, while, in contrast, suicide deaths rose by 7,559 or by 25.8%. Homicides remained relatively constant, increasing by only 34 cases or 0.2%.
Deaths from Selected External Causes 2000-2009/2010
Sources:
CDC Deaths: Final Data 2000. National Vital Statistic Reports, Sept 16, 2002
CDC Deaths: Final Data 2009. National Vital Statistic Reports, Dec 29, 2011
CDC Deaths: Preliminary Data 2010. National Vital Statistic Reports, January 11,2012
The gap between MVA & suicides continued to increase in 2010 according to preliminary data, in the context of continued mass unemployment.A recently published (online) paper by Ian Rockett & his colleagues noted that comprehensive traffic safety measures successfully reduced motor vehicle traffic crash mortality. Similar efforts will be required to reduce mortality from other injuries. Rockett, Ianetal (2012). Leading Causes of Unintentional & Intentional Injury Mortality: United States, 2000-2009. American J of Public Health, published online, ahead of print, Sept. 20, 2012.Article submitted by Steve Stack, Troy, MI
From 1999 to 2008, the suicide death rate for persons aged 45–64 years increased overall (from 13.2 to 17.6 per 100,000 population) and for white men (from 22.6 to 30.7) and white women (from 6.7 to 9.4), whereas the rate did not change significantly for black men and women.
Throughout the period, the suicide rate was highest for white men and lowest for black women. In 2008, the suicide rate for white men was 30.7 per 100,000 population, followed by 10.3 for black men, 9.4 for white women, and 1.6 for black women.