Mitesh Patel, M.D., Henry Duong, M.D., Kavitha Srinivasan, M.D., Steven Lippmann, M.D.

Introduction

Suicide is a frequent cause of death, especially among males and military veterans. Kentucky has a higher suicide rate, at 14 per 100,000 persons, than the USA average of 12/100,000 people. Currently, military veterans have a much higher rate of killing themselves than for the general population. Suicide deaths in Kentucky between 2011-2013 were assessed.

Method

The Kentucky Violent Death Reporting System supplied data between 2011–2013. Information was collected on 1,983 fatalities caused by suicide, and details about trends among Kentucky veterans were examined.

Kentucky Suicide 2011-2013: Military Service and Gender

Year	Total	Military	Non-military	Male	Female
2011	646	104	533	531	115
2012	645	129	515	517	128
2013	689	135	551	548	141

 

Results

Self-induced mortality in Kentucky is more common among males, at 81% of all suicides. Between 2011-2013, rates in Kentucky of veteran suicide escalated by 23%, while non-veteran Kentuckians evidenced a rise of 2%.

Discussion

A predominance of suicide frequencies among males in Kentucky is consistent with national data. Such mortalities among veterans in Kentucky and in the USA are similarly rising and are more common than suicides among the general population.

References

Lambert JW, Slavova S. Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Kentucky 2001-2012. Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center. University of Kentucky, College of Public Health, Lexington, KY.

Hoffmire CA, Kemp JE, Bossarte RM. Changes in Suicide Mortality for Veteran and Nonveterans by Gender and History of VHA Service Use, 2000-2010 Psychiatric Services 2015; 66(9): 959-965.

Kentucky Injury Prevention Research Center and Kentucky Violent Death Reporting System. 2011-2013. University of Kentucky, College of Public Health, Lexington, KY.