Death Rates by Suicide in the United States Over Time

Exploring U.S. suicide trends among elderly males over decades.

__timestamp	Sex and age, Male: 85 years and over, 85 years and over, Deaths per 100,000 resident population, crude	Sex, age and race, Male: White: 85 years and over, 85 years and over, Deaths per 100,000 resident population, crude	Sex, age and race (Single race), Male: White: 85 years and over, 85 years and over, Deaths per 100,000 resident population, crude	Sex, age and race and Hispanic origin (Single race), Male: Not Hispanic or Latino: American Indian or Alaska Native: 15-24 years, 15-24 years, Deaths per 100,000 resident population, crude	Sex, age and race and Hispanic origin (Single race), Male: Not Hispanic or Latino: American Indian or Alaska Native: 25-44 years, 25-44 years, Deaths per 100,000 resident population, crude
Sunday, January 1, 1950	58.3	61.9
Friday, January 1, 1960	57.4	61.3
Thursday, January 1, 1970	42.4	45.8
Tuesday, January 1, 1980	50.6	52.8
Thursday, January 1, 1981	50.5	54
Friday, January 1, 1982	50.6	54.5
Saturday, January 1, 1983	54.2	57.9
Sunday, January 1, 1984	52.2	56.3
Tuesday, January 1, 1985	56.2	60.9
Wednesday, January 1, 1986	62.1	66.5
Thursday, January 1, 1987	67.5	72.1
Friday, January 1, 1988	61.5	66.5
Sunday, January 1, 1989	68.2	72.9
Monday, January 1, 1990	65.9	70.3
Tuesday, January 1, 1991	69.5	74.8
Wednesday, January 1, 1992	62.4	67.1
Friday, January 1, 1993	67.9	73.2
Saturday, January 1, 1994	66.2	71
Sunday, January 1, 1995	62.7	67.9
Monday, January 1, 1996	60.5	65.5
Wednesday, January 1, 1997	61	65.2
Thursday, January 1, 1998	59.8	64.5
Friday, January 1, 1999	57.1	61.5
Saturday, January 1, 2000	57.5	61.6
Monday, January 1, 2001	52.7	56.6
Tuesday, January 1, 2002	54.5	57.8
Wednesday, January 1, 2003	51.6	55.2
Thursday, January 1, 2004	49.2	52.5
Saturday, January 1, 2005	49.9	53.1
Sunday, January 1, 2006	48	50.8
Monday, January 1, 2007	46.6	50.1
Tuesday, January 1, 2008	43	45.8
Thursday, January 1, 2009	44	46.9
Friday, January 1, 2010	47.3	50.8
Saturday, January 1, 2011	44.1	47
Sunday, January 1, 2012	46.9	50.7
Tuesday, January 1, 2013	48.5	52.6
Wednesday, January 1, 2014	49.9	54.4
Thursday, January 1, 2015	48.2	52.5
Friday, January 1, 2016	48	52.5
Sunday, January 1, 2017	50.6	55.3
Monday, January 1, 2018	47.2	51.8	52.1	60.7	60.2

In pursuit of knowledge

A Historical Perspective on Suicide Rates in the U.S.

The United States has witnessed fluctuating suicide rates over the decades, with certain demographics experiencing more pronounced changes. In the 1950s, males aged 85 and over had a suicide rate of approximately 58 per 100,000, which slightly decreased to 57 per 100,000 by the 1960s. This trend highlights a subtle yet significant shift in mental health awareness and support systems over time.

Key Insights

Elderly Males: The data reveals that elderly males, particularly those aged 85 and over, consistently show higher suicide rates. This demographic's vulnerability underscores the need for targeted mental health interventions.
Racial Disparities: While data for certain racial groups is incomplete, the available figures suggest that white males in the same age bracket also face elevated risks.

Understanding these patterns is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies and ensuring mental health resources are equitably distributed across all age and racial groups.

Date published

24 Dec 2024