A Descriptive Analysis of Suicide Trends by Race/Ethnicity, Sex, and Age Categories in Santa Clara County, California...

This study aimed to measure suicide rate differences across race/ethnicity, age, and sex groups in Santa Clara County, California, from 2018 to 2023.

The incidence rate and annual percentage change in 1,024 suicides among Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White individuals in Santa Clara County were calculated. Patterns in suicide methods and significant conditions across race/ethnicity, age, and sex groups were also analyzed.

Suicide rates increased among Asian males aged 45-64 years (incidence rate ratio=1.26; 95% CI=1.05, 1.53) and White females aged ≥65 years (incidence rate ratio=1.28; 95% CI=1.02, 1.63) and decreased among White males aged 45-64 years (incidence rate ratio=0.87; 95% CI=0.79, 0.96) and Hispanic females aged 45-64 years (incidence rate ratio=0.54; 95% CI=0.26, 0.98). Males were significantly more likely to die by firearm suicide (Asian: 22.03% vs 5.41%; p=0.001; Black: 42.11% vs 0.00%, p=0.021; Hispanic: 20.26% vs 6.52%, p=0.029; White: 45.17% vs 8.80%, p<0.001). Asian, Black, and White females were more likely to die by toxicity, overdose, or drug poisoning suicide (Asian: 22.97% vs 10.73%; p=0.011; Black: 33.33% vs 5.26%, p=0.047; White: 26.40% vs 8.45%, p<0.001). Almost 25% died by suicide in open spaces (23.7%), and 17.9% had a major health condition at the time of death (17.9%).

From 2018 to 2023, Asian males and White females experienced significant suicide increases, whereas White males and Hispanic females experienced significant decreases. These findings highlight the need to examine regional trends in suicide by race, sex, and age group.