Sooner Versus Later: Factors Associated With Temporal Sequencing of Suicide

In this prospective population-based study, the National Health Interview Survey (1986-1994) was linked to the National Death Index (1986-1997) to assess factors that predict recent (within 12 months of interview) suicide versus suicide further in the future (more than 12 months after interview). Of the 653 completed suicides, 13.4% died within a year of interview & 86.6% did so after a year. Those dying sooner were more likely to be white, less educated, unemployed & to use firearms than any other method compared to those who died later. They also had higher levels of self-rated health at baseline. (25 refs.)