New CDC report analyzes rising rates of suicide and shares prevention strategies

CDC Vital Signs, a publication from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that explores and analyzes a different public health topic each month, released a report and fact sheet on suicide today. The report and fact sheet present trends in suicide rates across the nation, identify contributing factors to suicide in 27 states, and highlight strategies for comprehensive suicide prevention. The CDC also shares strategies that state public health departments and others working to help can use to reduce suicides.

Key points in the Vital Signs report include:

• In 2016, nearly 45,000 suicides occurred in the US among people 10 years and older
• From 1999-2016, suicide rates increased in nearly every state, with 25 states experiencing increases of more than 30% each
• Data from 27 states participating in the National Violent Death Reporting System in 2015 indicate that more than half of people who died by suicide did not have a known mental health condition
• A range of factors contributes to suicide beyond mental health conditions alone, including relationship, substance use, physical health, job, financial, and legal problems.

The report and fact sheet are available for broad distribution, and can be downloaded from the Partners for Family Health Data Center – use “Injury” as a search term. Public health professionals and organizations are encouraged to share these materials with their colleagues and partners.