Firearm-Related Suicide among Young African-American Males

Author: Joe, Sean / Kaplan, Mark S.
Publication: Psychiatric Services
Topics: Age Group Ethnicity Suicide U.S./National
Keywords: African-Americans Firearms Risk Factors Suicide Whites
Bibliographic information +

The authors examined trends in firearm suicides among African-American and white males in two age groups (15-19 years and 20-24 years), using nationwide mortality data compiled by CDC and accessible through WONDER, for the period 1979-1997. They found that firearm suicide incidence and rates increased more among African-Americans than white males. During the period studied, firearms were the most frequently used method of suicide (70% for the 15-19 years and 64% for the 20-24 years age group).