Changes in Suicide Rates in the United States From 2022 to 2023

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Mortality Statistics

Background:

• Suicide remains a significant public health concern.
• Understanding recent trends in suicide mortality is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report final 2023 suicide mortality rates.
• To analyze changes in suicide rates by age group, sex, and state of residency between 2022 and 2023.

Main Methods:

• Utilized National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) mortality data (2003-2023).
• Identified suicide deaths using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes.
• Calculated age-adjusted and age-specific suicide rates; analyzed trends using z tests and Joinpoint software.

Main Results:

• The age-adjusted suicide rate stabilized between 2018 (14.2) and 2023 (14.1), following an increase from 2003 (10.8).
• From 2022 to 2023, suicide rates increased for females aged 75+ and decreased for males aged 75+.
• Significant changes in age-adjusted suicide rates (2022-2023) were observed in five states: increases in Arkansas, decreases in North Dakota, Iowa, Connecticut, and Arizona.

Conclusions:

• While the overall age-adjusted suicide rate has plateaued, specific demographic shifts warrant attention.
• The differing trends in older adult suicide rates by sex highlight the need for tailored prevention strategies.
• State-level variations underscore the importance of geographically specific public health initiatives for suicide prevention.