Suicide acts in 8 states: Incidence and case fatality rates by demographics and method

Objectives. This study examined incidence rates of medically identified sui cide acts (self-inflicted injuries, either fatal or nonfatal) and case fata lity rates by age, sex, race, and method used. Methods. The authors analyzed data on 10892 suicides and 57439 attempted su icides among hospital-admitted individuals in 8 states, along with 6219 att empted suicides among individuals released from emergency departments in 2 states. Results. The 8 states experienced a mean of 11 suicides and 119 attempted s uicides per 100000 residents each year. Groups with high suicide rates were men, the elderly, and Whites; groups with high attempted suicide rates wer e teenagers, young adults, women, and Blacks and Whites aged 25 to 44 years . Blacks aged 15 to 44 years evidenced high attempted suicide rates undocum ented in previous studies. Poisoning and firearm were the most common metho ds used among those attempting suicide and those completing suicide acts, r espectively. The most lethal method was firearm. Conclusions. The characteristics of suicides and attempted suicides differ dramatically. Method used is important in the lethality of the act.