The Descriptive Epidemiology of Unnatural Deaths in Oregon’s State Institutions: a 25-Year (1963-1987) Study. IV. The Reduction of Unnatural Death Rates During 1988-1992 in Three Facilities…

This article presents the 5-year (1988-1992) analysis of unnatural deaths in Oregon’s state mental & correctional institutions & compares it with data of previous years & with death rates for noninstitutionalized citizens in the county. It concluded that the highly significant reductions in unnatural death rates at 2 facilities are largely due to implementation of a program to reduce the previously high suicide rates. At another facility, unnatural deaths were reduced to zero during the period.