The Epidemiology and Prevention of Suicide by Hanging: a Systematic Review

This review summarizes the published literature on suicide by hanging, with a focus on its epidemiology in England & on potential means of prevention. The authors found that only a small proportion (around 10%) of hanging suicides occur in the controlled environments of hospitals, prisons, & police custody; the remainder occur in the community. Case fatality following attempted suicide by hanging is around 70%, although the majority (80-90%) of those who reach hospital alive survive. Implications for prevention are discussed. (66 refs)