Citation

Becker TM, Samet JM, Wiggins CL, Key CR. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 1990; 20(4): 324-334.

Affiliation

University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2087768

Abstract

We examined New Mexico vital statistics data for suicides and homicides among the state's Hispanics, Native Americans, and non-Hispanic whites collected from 1958 to 1987. We found high age-adjusted rates for both suicides and homicides among Hispanic and Native American males, in comparison with rates for non-Hispanic white males. Suicide rates among Native American women were comparatively low, contrasting with their high homicide rates. Homicide rates for males in all three ethnic groups increased substantially over the 30-year study period. We conclude that death from violent causes, both suicide and homicide, is a major public health problem in New Mexico, and disproportionately affects minority males.