Researchers publish new data on suicide rate among blacks in US

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

New research shows that the suicide rate among black people in the US is higher than previously thought.
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the USA and has emerged as an important issue for black people in recent years. That's because rates seem to be going up among blacks. Previously, white people were more likely to kill themselves.

Researchers at the University of Michigan now report on data from the National Survey of American Life, which covers a group of over 5,000 black people. This shows that the estimated lifetime prevalence of suicide among blacks in the USA is 4.1 per cent and of suicidal thoughts 11.7 per cent. Suicide attempts were more prevalent among black women - 4.9 per cent - than men, 3.1 per cent. Risk of a suicide attempt or suicidal thoughts were both higher among younger people, those in the midwest and those with lower educational level. The findings confirm the suspicion that suicide is an increasing problem among the black population. The researchers say it is important to identify the existence of suicidal thoughts and monitor and treat those affected as thoroughly as possible.

Source
Journal of the American Medical Association 1st November 2006 Volume 296 pages 2112-2123

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