Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 10:45:52 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Suicides Spike Among Middle-Aged

Posted Feb 19, 08 10:10 AM CST in Arts & Living,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – Suicide rates among middle-aged Americans have spiked dramatically in recent years, in contrast to flat or declining rates in younger and older demographics, mystifying experts, reports the New York Times. For people 45 to 54, the rate jumped 20% between 1999 and 2004;  for women, the increase was 31%. Theories about the cause include lack of support systems, declining hormone-replacement therapy use, and prevalence of prescription painkillers.

Prevention programs focus on teenagers and the elderly, but the bulk of suicides are middle-aged. Of the more than 32,000 people who killed themselves in 2004, almost half  were 40 to 64 years old. Male suicides still outnumber females fourfold. Veterans of the Vietnam War may have a higher risk, as may those living far from family and friends.

Source New York Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Suicide Rate Soars for Middle-Aged

    Oct 21, 08 5:02 AM CDT
    Suicide Rate Soars for Middle-Aged A sharp rise in the number of middle-aged white people taking their own lives has driven up the US suicide rate by nearly 5% since 1999, the Los Angeles Times reports. Experts are baffled by the nearly 16% hike in this group, but speculate that prescription drug abuse, a drop in the use of hormone replacement therapy by menopausal women, or post-9/11 stress could be the cause—as could widespread Boomer disappointment.
    More »

  ((c) Ralph Buckley)
  ((c) austinevan)
Sad businesswoman   ((c) meyshanworld)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 4)

Tags

suicide • depression • prescription drugs • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • hormone replacement therapy • middle age • suicide rate • support networks • midlife crisis


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Science & Health Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »