Prior Health Care Utilization Patterns and Suicide Among U.S. Army Soldiers

1,873 army suicides identified through death, inpatient, & emergency room records were matched with 5,619 controls. In multivariate models, older, male, white, single, & enlisted soldiers with a prior injury, alcohol, or mental health hospitalization were at increased risk for suicide. Risk was greatest immediately following diagnoses, but remained elevated even after 5 or more years of follow-up. Most injury hospitalizations were unintentional but, nonetheless, significantly associated with suicide. Interactions indicate soldiers with both mental health & injury history are particularly vulnerable. (28 refs.) JA