Centre for Policy on Ageing



Suicide among the elderly in Honolulu County — a multiethnic comparative study (1987-1992)
Author(s)	Don Purcell, Carol R N Thrush, Patricia L Blanchette
Journal title	International Psychogeriatrics, vol 11, no 1, March 1999
Pages	pp 57-66
Keywords	Suicide ; Ethnic groups ; Comparison ; United States of America.
Annotation	Suicide rates for older people continue to be the highest for any age group in the US. Although these rates are known to be significant, there has been little study concerning ethnic variability associated with this phenomenon, which this retrospective study explores. A review of coroners' reports was made for completed suicides of over 65s for Honolulu County, Hawaii from 1987 to 1992. Results showed a mean age of 75, with the highest incidence of completion in the 80+ age group. The predominant method was hanging, followed by jumping, use of firearms, and poisoning. There were significant gender and ethnic differences in the method of suicide. Almost half of the sample had seen a healthcare provider in the 6 months before death. Comparisons with other suicide studies of older people are presented. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-990728216 A
Classmark	EV: TK: 48: 7T
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.