Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 12 Sep 2024
US Suicide Rates Rise in Poor Neighbourhoods, Says CDC Data
Income, education, and access to resources matter when it comes to a person's mental health
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most of the people living in poor areas without access to important resources like healthcare insurance and internet broadband connections are more likely to suicide. The new data, published in the CDC Vital Signs report, on World Suicide Prevention Day, calls for improving the condition of those in poverty.
“Improving the conditions where people are born, grow, live, work and age is an often-overlooked aspect of suicide prevention," said Dr. Alison Cammack, the report's lead author and CDC health scientist.
The scientists compared the collected statistics from across the country including income, education, and access to resources, which they say matter when it comes to a person's mental health.
What does the data on suicides say?
As compared to those counties scoring lowest when it comes to income, internet access, and insurance coverage, suicide rates were:
- 26 per cent lower in counties with the highest health insurance coverage
- 44 per cent lower in counties where most homes have broadband internet access
- 13 per cent lower in counties with the greatest average household income
How can income disparity help reduce suicide numbers?
According to Dr. Cammack, the federal government should take many initiatives that reduce disparities and might help bring suicide rates down. CDC's Suicide Prevention Resource For Action highlights strategies based on the best available evidence to help states and communities prevent suicide. The strategies and their corresponding approaches include:
- Improve household financial security
- Stabilize housing
- Create protective environments
- Create healthy organizational policies and culture
- Reduce substance use through community-based policies and practices
- Cover mental health conditions in health insurance policies
- Increase provider availability in underserved areas
- Provide rapid and remote access to help
- Create safer suicide care through systems change
- Promote healthy peer norms
- Engage community members in shared activities
Suicides in the US
According to estimates, more than 49,000 Americans have lost their lives to suicide between 2002 and 2023, with the numbers rising every year. It is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-34 years, with rates being especially high among American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Also, men are at higher risk for suicide than women, and folks in rural areas face higher risks than those living in cities, the agency added. Middle-aged adults -- those aged 45 to 64 -- also face higher-than-average risks, the CDC said.
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