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BACKGROUND: For decades, Las Vegas has been known not only for its gambling casinos, but also for its strikingly high suicide rates – about twice as much as the national average. In this study, we examined recent trends of suicide attempts (hospitalizations) and deaths in Clark County (includes Las Vegas and 4 other adjacent cities). We also discussed the effects that the economic recession may have played on the attempt and death rates.
METHODS: We analyzed five years (2007-2011) of hospital discharge (for suicide attempts) and death (for suicide deaths) data. Records of out-of-state residents were excluded. Suicide attempts and deaths were cross-tabulated by year, gender, age, race, marital status, and manner of suicide. We also examined occupation in death data. Hospital charges resulted from suicide attempts were calculated as a cost indicator. Suicide attempt and death rates were calculated based on 2010 Clark County census population.
RESULTS: About 10% of those who attempted or died from suicides in Clark County were other states’ residents. Over the five years, Clark County consistently had the suicide death rate almost twice as high as the national average. However, suicide attempt rate was only about half of the US rate. Death rates in 2008, 2009, and 2010 were about 10% higher than those in 2007 and 2011. Among those died from suicide in 2008, 10% were in construction business, which was severely hit by the recession. Female suicide attempt rate was about 20% higher than male, while male death rate was over 3 times as high as female. Although teenagers had higher suicide attempt rate, suicide death rates peaked at 55-59 years old, and then 75 years and older. The white had the highest attempt and death rates, with death rate more than twice as high as all other racial groups. Among those who were divorced, male were 3-4 times more likely to die from suicides than female, even though their attempt rates were about the same. A larger proportion of female died from poisoning, while the majority of male died from firearms. Charges for the suicide attempt hospitalizations were over $50 million per year.
CONCLUSIONS: The rise of suicide attempts and deaths in Clark County coincided with the economic recession. We identified construction as an occupational risk factor for suicide in Clark County. Male, white, older age, and being divorced were also risk factors. Intervention strategies should target heavier on these high-risk populations.