Veteran status of suicide victims in Rhode Island, 2005-2009.

INTRODUCTION Suicide remains a leading cause of mortality in the United States. It is the tenth leading cause of death overall and the fourth leading cause of death for persons aged 18-65. Rhode Island has historically reported lower rates of suicide than the nation as whole but the number of suicides steadily increased during the years 2005-2010 (Figure 1). This resulted in a 2010 population rate (135 suicides = 12.9 /100,000) that approximated the U.S. rate for that year (12.4 /100,000). Prospective cohort studies have confirmed that veterans are at increased risk of suicide compared to non-veterans.4 To explain this, researchers point to higher rates of psychiatric morbidity as well as comfort and familiarity with firearms. METHODS The study population included males 18 years of age or older who committed suicide in Rhode Island during the five-year period 2005–2009. There were two female veteran suicides in Rhode Island over the course of the period studied who were not included in the analysis. Data regarding all decedents was obtained from the Rhode Island Violent Death Reporting System funded in the State by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since 2003. Rhode Island demographics were obtained from 2005–2009 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Both veteran and non-veteran decedents were stratified into four age groups. Where appropriate, Pearson’s chi-squared test of independence was used to assess the relationship between two variables.