Citation

Rao S, Pell D, England-Kennedy ES. Fam. Community Health 2017; 40(4): 347-356.

Affiliation

Department of Public Health Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico (Dr Rao and Mr Pell); and Department of Health and Physical Education, Rhode Island College, Providence, Rhode Island (Dr England-Kennedy).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/FCH.0000000000000164

PMID

28820789

Abstract

Rates of suicide and associated costs are high and increasing in the United States. From 1999 through 2014, the age-adjusted suicide rate increased 24%, with the pace of increase being greater since 2006. American Indian and Alaska Native persons have significantly lower rates of suicides than other ethnic groups as elders despite experiencing some of the highest rates during adolescence. This article examines literature pertaining to suicide rates in American Indian and Alaska Native communities and proposes a framework for understanding their lower rates of suicide as elders. Such understanding offers opportunities for developing strategies for suicide prevention across lifespan.

Language: en