Suicide rates in rural counties were consistently higher than those in metropolitan counties from 2001 through 2015, according to the CDC' most recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
For the report, researchers assessed suicide mortality data compiled in the National Vital Statistics System from 2001 to 2015. The overall annual suicide death rate for rural counties was 17.32 deaths per 100,000 people, compared to 14.86 deaths for small or medium metropolitan counties and 11.92 deaths for large metropolitan counties.
"While we've seen many causes of death come down in recent years, suicide rates have increased more than 20 percent from 2001 to 2015. And this is especially concerning in rural areas," said Brenda Fitzgerald, MD, director of the CDC. "We need proven prevention efforts to help stop these deaths and the terrible pain and loss they cause."
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