World Report: Suicide rate in the United States sets a new high in 2022, with African American children's suicide rate soaring by 60% over 20 years. Statistics | Race | United States
On August 16th, according to the AFRO news website in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on the 10th that 49449 people in the United States died from suicide in 2022. According to preliminary data from the CDC, this number has increased by 2.6% compared to 2021, setting a record high.
It is worth noting that the number of suicides among adults aged 65 and above has increased the most significantly, with a surge of 8.1% compared to the previous year. Following closely behind is the population aged 45 to 64, with an increase of 6.6%. The increase in the number of suicides among the age group of 25 to 44 is relatively small, at 0.7%.
In terms of gender and race, the suicide rates for both men and women in the United States have increased by 2.3% and 2.8%, respectively. In terms of race and ethnicity, in 2022, the suicide rate of Indigenous Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders increased the most, reaching 15.9%.
The CDC points out that, except for 2019 and 2020, the overall number of suicides in the United States has been on the rise since 2006. Deborah Horry, Chief Medical Officer of the CDC Center, stated that there is an urgent need to address this increasingly serious public health crisis. She emphasized in a press release, "The rise in suicide rates is worrying and requires all of us to take immediate action."
The report points out that the overall statistical data on suicide rates is unsettling, and from a racial perspective, the data is even more concerning, especially the trends of the African American population. The suicide rate of young African American men is more than three times that of African American women. What's even more concerning is that the suicide rate of African American children aged 10 to 19 has skyrocketed by 60% in just 20 years, surpassing any other race or ethnic group.
The report indicates that multiple factors have led to an increase in suicide rates among African Americans in the United States. Firstly, economic disparities often make it difficult for African Americans to access high-quality mental health services. Many African Americans may not be aware of the availability of mental health services, or may not have the necessary insurance or sufficient treatment funds.
Secondly, professionals providing mental health services lack sufficient cultural competence, which hinders the African American community from seeking help. These professionals may not be familiar with the specific experiences and difficulties of the African American community, nor are they sensitive to them, and therefore cannot provide the most effective treatment.
Another point is the widespread systemic issues, including racial discrimination and intergenerational trauma, which may also lead to mental health problems and an increase in suicide rates among African Americans in the United States.
Experts believe that reducing the number of suicides in the United States, especially among African Americans, requires a multi pronged and meticulous approach to address specific issues of different groups.
Responsibility
