Suicide and Other External-Cause Mortality Statistics in Ireland: a Comparison of Registration and Occurrence Data

There are 2 sets of annual mortality statistics released by the Central Statistics Office in Ireland, one based on deaths registered in the particular year & the other based on the deaths that occurred in that year. Registrations & occurrence figures for suicide & for other deaths by an external cause were compared for the years 1987-2003. The occurrence figures were, on average, 6% higher than the registration figures. There was evidence the extent of the discrepancy increased over the study period, reaching almost 20% in recent years. Findings suggest caution is needed in media reporting & the interpretation of this data by health professionals. (6 refs.)