The three sets of statistics that will help in understanding the changes in the rate of suicide in the U.S. since 1950 include suicide by age, sex, and marital status. Statistical data on suicide by sex showed that between 1950 and 1970, the rate of suicide per 100,000 resident population committed by female increased from 5.6% to 7.4% (Phillips, et al., 2010). Conversely, within the same period, the rate of suicide for male decreased from 21% to 19.8%. Although the suicide rate among male and females decreased between 1990 and 2008, the rate increased from 19% in 2008 to 20.7% in 2014 for males. In the case of females, the 2014 statistics showed that deaths by suicide were at 5.8%. Regarding age group, the 1950 statistics showed that the death rate from suicide was higher (31.1%) for individuals aged 75-84 years (The National Vital Statistics System, n.d.). The death rate stood at 0.2% for people aged 5-14 years (The National Vital Statistics System, n.d.). The 2014 records showed that deaths by suicide per 100,000 population were 19.5% for Americans aged 45-64 years (Curtin, Warner & Hedegaard, 2016). This was the highest suicide rate among all ages. Lastly, with marital status, the 1951-1961 statistics indicated that suicide rates for married persons were lower compared to single, widowed or divorced. Divorced persons indicated higher suicide rate of approximately five times the rates of married persons (The National Vital Statistics System, n.d.). Between 2000 and 2005, statistics showed that married individuals aged 50-59 years had a lower suicide rate of 5.3% compared to 18.3% of unmarried persons (Phillips, et al., 2010).

Over the next 20 or 30 year, my prediction is that the suicide rate by age will increase. Precisely, the suicide rate for individuals aged 50-64 years will increase. Currently, there is an economic crisis, and this will increase suicide rates. Moreover, due to the fluctuating economic conditions, the recession will adversely impact individuals aged 50-64 years since they would have incurred investment losses. Moreover, these individuals would not be able to afford retirement benefits. The severe situation will have a psychological impact on respondents in this age group, and the only option they will be left with would be to commit suicide.

References

Curtin, S. C., Warner, M., & Hedegaard, H. (2016). Increase in suicide in the United States, 1999–2014. NCHS data brief, 241, 1-8. Retrieved on June 10, 2017 from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db241.htm

Phillips, J. A., Robin, A. V., Nugent, C. N., & Idler, E. L. (2010). Understanding recent changes in suicide rates among the middle-aged: period or cohort effects? Public Health Reports, 125(5), 680-688.

The National Vital Statistics System. (n.d.). Suicide in the United States 1950-1964. Retrieved on June 10, 2017 from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_20/sr20_005.pdf

 
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