The Health Status of Elderly Persons in the Last Year of Life: a Comparison of Deaths by Suicide, Injury, and Natural Causes

This study identifies health status variables related to elderly suicide & compares the health status of suicide victims with natural death & injury decedents. Suicide decedents were more likely than injury decedents to have a history of cancer, alcohol use, mental or emotional disorder & to be white & male. States that a history of cancer should be considered as a risk for suicide in the elderly.