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Suicides among construction workers in the United States, 2021

  • 0Data Center, CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine +

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July 11, 2024

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July 11, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Construction workers face disproportionately high suicide rates, particularly males. This study highlights the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies within the construction industry to address this critical public health issue.

Area Of Science

  • Occupational Health
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background

  • Construction workers exhibit the second-highest suicide death rate.
  • Limited existing literature addresses suicide in the construction industry.
  • Identifying at-risk individuals is crucial for effective suicide prevention.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To examine the characteristics of individuals who died by suicide in the construction industry.
  • To address the knowledge gap regarding suicide risk factors in construction.
  • To inform targeted suicide prevention efforts.

Main Methods

  • Utilized the 2021 National Center for Health Statistics Mortality Multiple Cause-of-Death file for suicide death data.
  • Employed 2021 Current Population Survey data for workforce denominator calculations.
  • Analyzed demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of construction workers who died by suicide.

Main Results

  • In 2021, construction workers represented 17.9% of all reported industry suicide deaths, despite being 7.4% of the workforce.
  • Male construction workers constituted 97.8% of suicide deaths within the industry.
  • The highest prevalence of suicide deaths occurred among white, non-Hispanic individuals with a high school education who were single.

Conclusions

  • Construction workers, both male and female, demonstrated higher suicide rates compared to other industries across various characteristics.
  • Findings underscore the necessity for sustained and industry-specific suicide prevention initiatives.
  • Further research is required to elucidate specific risk factors, occupations, and work-environment influences contributing to elevated suicide rates in construction.

Keywords:

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