This article examined physical illness as a risk factor for suicidal behavior using data from a population-based, case-control study of 153 13- to 34-year-old suicide attempt case-patients treated at emergency departments in Houston, Texas, & a random sample of 513 control-subjects. Case-patients were more likely than controls to report having any serious medical condition. The odds ratio for case-patient men was 4.76 & 1.6 for case-patient women. Implications of these results are discussed for suicide prevention strategies. (33 refs) (SC)