QuickStats: Suicide and Homicide Rates* Among Adults Aged >18 Years, by Age Group --- National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2002--2004

* Per 100,000 population in age group.

During 2002--2004, the average annual suicide rate (14.2 per 100,000 population) was nearly twice as high as the rate of death by homicide (7.2 per 100,000 population) for adults aged >18 years. The suicide rate was higher than the homicide rate for all age groups except persons aged 18--24 years. The difference between the suicide and homicide rates among groups aged >25 years increased with age; persons aged >85 years were eight times as likely to die from suicide as homicide.

SOURCES: National Vital Statistics System, 2002--2004 mortality files; Health Data for All Ages, available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/health_data_for_all_ages.htm.

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Date last reviewed: 6/27/2007