Suicide among U.S. women physicians, 1967-1972

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Epidemiology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Physician suicide rates are a significant public health concern.
• Previous studies indicated potential disparities in mental health among medical professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate suicide rates among women physicians.
• To compare these rates with male physicians and the general female population.
• To estimate the prevalence of primary affective disorder in women physicians.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of American Medical Association (AMA) records for 751 deceased women physicians from 1967-1972.
• Calculation of suicide rates per 100,000 per year.
• Estimation of primary affective disorder prevalence based on known morbid risk.

Main Results:

• The suicide rate for women physicians was 40.7 per 100,000 per year.
• This rate was higher than for male physicians and approximately four times that of white American women.
• An estimated 65% of women physicians may have primary affective disorder.

Conclusions:

• Women physicians exhibited a significantly elevated suicide risk compared to general female populations and male physicians.
• A high prevalence of primary affective disorder is suggested among women physicians, warranting further investigation and targeted support.