Suicide-related hospitalized attempts among teens and young adults in the United States

Background: Suicide is a burgeoning public health issue that exacts a heavy toll on our nation. In 2000, suicides claimed the lives of over 29,000 people and more than 156,000 patients were hospitalized for nonfatal self-inflicted injuries. The economic burden of suicide acts was equally staggering as fatal and nonfatal self-inflicted injuries cost society approximately $32.9 billion (in 2000 dollars) in medical costs and lost wages. Suicide acts are particularly problematic for teens and young adults. This study estimates the incidence and costs of suicide acts among hospitalized teens and young adults across the entire U.S.

Method: We used state hospital discharge data to determine the number and rate of nonfatal hospital-admitted suicide attempts. Once the incidence counts for all states were obtained, medical and work loss costs were applied to these data.

Results: Thirty-five percent (61,434) of all nonfatal self-inflicted injuries in 2003 occurred among young people ages 15-29. Females were more likely to engage in suicide acts than males among this demographic. Teens 15-19 displayed the highest hospitalized attempt rate (125.3 per 100,000) when compared to young adults, whereas the average medical and work loss costs per case were higher for the latter group ($8,993 and $15,215). Individual states varied widely by gender and costs patterns.

Conclusion: These data suggest that current injury and economic burden of hospitalized suicide attempts among this demographic is quite profound. The development and implementation of effective evidence-based policy and improved prevention efforts will be critical in reducing the proliferation of this phenomenon.