Comparison study of 1999-2019 suicide rate per 100,000 population between Native American and other races in the United States of America

Abstract

The suicide rate in the USA has been on the rise, which affects specific age groups, genders, and race/ethnicity. Native American (NA) has been known to be on a higher level than the other races. This study focuses on differences in suicide rates between NA and the other races at particular age groups and different genders. Twenty years (1999-2019) of suicide data were retrieved from the CDC database. Microsoft Excel and t-test were employed for data processing and statistical analysis. The results showed that the suicide rate per 100,000 population increased 38.1% nationally with male increased 34.5% and female increased 55%. Male was 281.42% higher than female. NA was 44.48% higher than total nation in age group 10-39. In age group 40-84, US total was 81.46% higher than NA. Crossing race comparison among NA, African American (AA), Hispanic (His), Asian or Pacific Islander (AP), and White (W) showed NA and W were much higher than other races. NA showed 43.31% higher in the age group 10-34 than W. W showed 86.63% higher in the age group 35-84 than NA. NA showed 99.09% and 89.62% higher in the age group 10-64 than His and AP, respectively. AP showed 31.68% higher than NA in the age group 65-84. There was no significant difference between NA and His in the age group 65-84. NA was 94.07% higher than AA through all age groups. In summary, the suicide rate increased by about 38.10%. The suicide rates ranked as W>NA>AP>His and AA. NA was the highest one in the age group 10-34, which should bring more attention to the community for further investigation. This study provides information for suicide prevention and emphases the necessity of psychological/psychiatric services and family education for those affected age groups nationally so reduction in suicide may positively impact the populations.