By the Numbers - April 8, 2013
3rd and 4th
Where suicide ranks as a cause of death among the 1-24 year old age group and the 25-44 year old age group, respectively, according to a National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data brief: Death in the United States, 2011.
According to the NCHS, the leading causes of death among those aged 1-24 were:
Accidents (38%)
Homicide (13%)
Suicide (13%)
Cancer (7%)
Heart disease (3%)
All other causes (26%)
Among those aged 25-44, the leading causes of death were:
Accidents (26%)
Cancer (13%)
Heart disease (12%)
Suicide (11%)
Homicide (6%)
All other causes (32%)
Among the two older age groups referenced in the data brief -- ages 45-64 and ages 65 and over -- suicide does not rank among the top five causes of death, as heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease and other common diseases of aging become more prevalent. Notes the NCHS: "In older age groups, chronic conditions account for more deaths than do external causes of injury."
3rd and 4th
Where suicide ranks as a cause of death among the 1-24 year old age group and the 25-44 year old age group, respectively, according to a National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data brief: Death in the United States, 2011.
According to the NCHS, the leading causes of death among those aged 1-24 were:
Accidents (38%)
Homicide (13%)
Suicide (13%)
Cancer (7%)
Heart disease (3%)
All other causes (26%)
Among those aged 25-44, the leading causes of death were:
Accidents (26%)
Cancer (13%)
Heart disease (12%)
Suicide (11%)
Homicide (6%)
All other causes (32%)
Among the two older age groups referenced in the data brief -- ages 45-64 and ages 65 and over -- suicide does not rank among the top five causes of death, as heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease and other common diseases of aging become more prevalent. Notes the NCHS: "In older age groups, chronic conditions account for more deaths than do external causes of injury."