A comparison of Wisconsin's suicide rates by urbanization and sex

This report compares suicide rates in Wisconsin and the United States by sex and degree of urbanization.

Suicide mortality rates for Wisconsin and the United States from 1999 to 2005 were compared by sex and degree of urbanization using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data were also analyzed using Beale Codes to determine the appropriateness of the definition of "rural".

While both Wisconsin and US males residing in rural areas are at increased suicide risk compared to their urban counterparts, Wisconsin males are at a much lower risk than the national average (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.14 [95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.06-1.23] and OR = 1.33 [95% CI, 1.32-1.35], respectively). U.S. women in rural areas are also at increased risk of suicide compared to females in urban areas (OR = 1.09 [95% CI, 1.07-1.12]). In contrast, Wisconsin females in rural areas-verified by both classification system's definitions of "rural"--are not at increased risk of committing suicide compared to their urban counterparts (OR = 1.03 [95% CI, 0.89-1.20]).

In Wisconsin's rural areas, suicide rates for males are lower than the national average, especially in Wisconsin's most rural counties. However, the suicide rate for Wisconsin's rural females was very similar to the national average. Additionally, suicide rates for males and females from Wisconsin's only large metro area (Milwaukee County) are significantly than the corresponding national urban rates.