Suicide among Hispanics--United States, 1997-2001

By 2020, Hispanics are expected to represent 17% of the U.S. population and to surpass all other racial/ethnic minority populations in size. In 1996, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established the Hispanic Agenda for Action initiative; a major goal of this initiative is to identify health problems that affect Hispanics. In 2001, although the overall age-adjusted suicide rate per 100,000 population among Hispanics was lower than the U.S. national rate (10.7), suicide was the third leading cause of death among young (i.e., aged 10-24 years) Hispanics and the seventh leading cause of years of potential life lost before age 75 years. To identify demographic groups at risk for suicide and to help guide prevention efforts, CDC analyzed mortality data for 1997-2001. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that, among Hispanics, the largest proportion of suicides occurred among young persons; suicide rates were higher among males; and the most common method of suicide was by firearms. To reduce the number of suicides, additional prevention strategies are needed, including 1) improving methods for collecting data about suicides, suicide attempts, and related behaviors; 2) expanding evaluation of prevention efforts aimed at reducing suicidal behaviors; and 3) examining how effective interventions can be modified for diverse and culturally specific populations.