Between 2001 and 2021, age-adjusted U.S. suicide rates involving firearms, suffocation and other methods generally rose, while those involving poisoning fell. Firearms had the highest rate throughout.
Age-adjusted suicide rates by method, United States, 2001–2021, National Vital Statistics System. CDC
| Method | The trend (deaths per 100,000 people, age-adjusted) |
|---|---|
| Firearm | stable from 5.9 in 2001 to 5.5 in 2006, then up to 7.5 in 2021 |
| Suffocation | up from 2.2 in 2001 to 4.3 in 2018, then down slightly to 3.8 in 2021 |
| Poisoning | rose, then held steady, from 2001 to 2016; down from 2.0 in 2016 to 1.6 in 2021 |
| Other methods | generally rose |
About the data
Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. Suicides were identified from death certificates by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes U03, X60–X84 and Y87.0; methods by the underlying cause of death: firearm X72–X74, suffocation X70, poisoning X60–X69. "Other" covers every other means.
CDC's suicide prevention information: cdc.gov/suicide.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States.
Sources
Based on Garnett MF, Curtin SC, Spencer MR, "QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Suicide Rates, by Method of Suicide — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2001–2021," MMWR volume 72, number 37, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from www.cdc.gov
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