NCJ Number
159320
Journal
Journal of the American Medical Association Volume: 257 Issue: 24 Dated: (June 26, 1987) Pages: 3369-3372
Date Published
1987
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Death certificates and coroner reports for all suicides, undetermined causes of death, and questionable accidents were obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Vital Statistics for Allegheny County residents aged 10 to 19 years for the 1960-1983 period.
Abstract
During the 24-year study, 159 cases of definite suicide and 38 cases of likely suicide were noted. The suicide rate increased markedly among youth during the study period, particularly among white males between 15 and 19 years of age, and was not due to changes in classification procedures over time. The suicide rate by firearms increased much faster than the suicide rate by other methods. The proportion of suicide victims who had detectable blood alcohol levels rose from 12.9 percent in 1968-1972 to 46 percent in 1978-1983. Suicide victims who used firearms were 4.9 times more likely to have been drinking than were individuals who used other suicide methods. The availability of firearms and the increased use of alcohol by young people may have significantly contributed to the increased suicide rate. 28 references and 4 tables