Suicide Mortality in the Americas

Regional Report 2010–2014

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• Publisher: Pan American Health Organization
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN:
  9789275123294
• eBook ISBN:
  9789275123300
• Edition: 3
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Public Health, Administration & Care

In the period 2010–2014, 55.8% of suicide deaths in the Region occurred in North America. The age-adjusted suicide rate was also highest in North America (12.8 per 100, 000 population), which along with the non-Hispanic Caribbean (9.8) was higher than the regional rate, while the other two subregions had rates lower than the regional rate (6.7 in Central America, the Hispanic Caribbean, and Mexico; 6.9 in South America).In Latin America and the Caribbean, it is essential that national suicide prevention programs be developed, especially in those countries with higher suicide rates. This report identifies 12 countries in the Region of the Americas with high suicide rates compared with the regional average and where two-thirds of the suicide deaths are concentrated.Strengthening information systems and surveillance of suicidal behavior is required. Improving mortality registries alone is not enough. It is also necessary to develop registries of suicidal behavior and implement follow-up mechanisms in high-risk cases.This report identifies the most frequent suicide methods. The availability of firearms is an important risk factor, particularly in North America. Access to pesticides in rural areas is another risk factor, especially in the non-Hispanic Caribbean. Alcohol and drug abuse need to be monitored for early identification and attention. Each method of suicide may require specific preventive interventions.Countries should revise their existing legal framework regarding the availability of services and resources to prevent and address the problem of suicidal behavior.

Table of contents

• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Methodology
• Results
• Global comparisons
• Final considerations
• References
• Tables and figures
• Table A16. Method of suicide as percentage of total, by age group, in the Region of the Americas and its subregions, females, 010–2014
• Table A15. Method of suicide as percentage of total, by age group, in the Region of the Americas and its subregions, males, 200–2014
• Table A14. Method of suicide as percentage of total, by age group, in the Region of the Americas and its subregions, both sexes, 2010–2014
• Table A13. Male-female ratio of suicide methods used, age-unadjusted, in the Region of the Americas and its subregions, 2010–214
• Table A12. Annual average number of suicides in the Region of the Americas and its subregions, 2010–2014
• Table A11. Percentage contribution of suicide among external causes of death, by sex, countries and territories in the Region of the Americas, 2010–2014
• Table A10. Age-standardized suicide rates per 100,000 population, by five-year groups, countries and territories in the Region of the Americas, 2000–2014
• Table A9. Non-standardized suicide rates per 100,000 population, by five-year groups, countries and territories in the Region of the Americas, 2000–2014
• Table A8. Method of suicide as percentage of total, females, countries and territories in the Region of the Americas, 2010–201
• Table A7. Method of suicide as percentage of total, males, countries and territories in the Region of the Americas, 2010–2014
• Table A6. Method of suicide as percentage of total, both sexes, countries and territories in the Region of the Americas, 2010–014
• Table A5. Suicide rates per 100,000 population, by age group, females, countries and territories in the Region of the Americas, 2010–2014
• Table A4. Suicide rates per 100,000 population, by age group, males, countries and territories in the Region of the Americas, 010–2014
• Table A3. Suicide rates per 100,000 population, by age group, both sexes, countries and territories in the Region of the Americas, 2010–2014
• Table A2. Male-female suicide ratio, by age group, countries and territories in the Region of the Americas, 2010–2014
• Table A1. Age-unadjusted and age-adjusted suicide rates per 100,000 population, countries and territories in the Region of the Americas, 2010–2014