November 15, 2023 – Suicide rates within the United States rose in 2021 and were particularly high amongst older men, in response to a brand new study report from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics.
According to the figures, about 30 men aged 55 and over died by suicide per 100,000 inhabitants. That's twice the general age-adjusted rate of about 14 per 100,000 people.
Men aged 85 and older had the best rate, with nearly 56 suicide deaths per 100,000 people. This was the best value of all age groups.
Among men aged 55 and older, suicide rates increased between 2001 and 2021 in all age groups, but only amongst men aged 55 to 64 (from 21.2 deaths per 100,000 population to 26.6) and amongst men Ages 65 to 74 years (from 24.5 to 26.1). ) were essential.
“Researchers found that among adults ages 55 and older, the highest suicide rates in 2021 occurred among men ages 85 and older and women ages 55 to 64 (55.7 and 7, respectively). 8 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants). ” Health day wrote.
The researchers wrote: “Among adults aged 55 and older, men's suicide rates generally increased with age, while women's suicide rates decreased with age.”
Yeates Conwell, MD, a psychiatry professor on the University of Rochester who was not involved in the brand new report, said CNN that five major aspects may contribute to suicide risk: depression, illness, disability, separation and fatal consequences. The combination could also be “relatively more important for older adults,” he said.
“Imagine a Venn diagram with these five circles, each representing one of these overlapping “Ds.” “The more circles that overlap, the greater the risk,” Conwell said.
Older people are inclined to suffer from higher rates of physical illness and disability, in addition to greater social isolation, and the compounding aspects make them more vulnerable, he said.