Alcohol use often precedes suicides in US

23/06/2009

Last Updated: 2009-06-19 12:01:18 -0400 (Reuters Health)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - An analysis of data from 17 states reveals that nearly 24% of suicide victims have blood alcohol levels indicating intoxication at the time of death.

The results, which appear in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for June 19, indicate that the rate of alcohol intoxication among suicide decedents is particularly high for American Indian/Alaska Natives, 37.1%, and Hispanics, 28.7%. In terms of age groups, decedents 20 to 49 years of age had the highest rate at 28.2%.

To assess the link between alcohol and suicide, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, analyzed data from the National Violent Death Reporting System for 2005-2006.

A total of 19,255 suicides occurred during the study period in the 17 states contributing data, the report indicates.

Asian/Pacific Islander suicide decedents had the lowest rate of alcohol intoxication at 11.6%, followed by non-Hispanic black decedents at 14.3%.

"These results indicate that many populations can benefit from comprehensive and culturally appropriate suicide-prevention strategies that include efforts to reduce alcohol consumption, especially programs that focus on persons aged <50 years," the report concludes.

Mor Mortal Wkly Rep CDC Surveill Summ 2009;58:637-641.