Evolution and patterns of suicide mortality among older adults in Brazil, from 1996 to 2022: a population study
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Abstract
Introduction: Suicide among older adults has shown a worrisome upward trend in Brazil, underscoring the need to understand its evolution over recent decades. Objective: To analyze the evolution of suicide deaths and their characteristics among older Brazilians between 1996 and 2022. Methods: This cross-sectional, retrospective epidemiological study used data from the Mortality Information System (SIM/DATASUS) and population estimates from IBGE. All suicide deaths (ICD-10: X60–X84) among individuals aged 60 years or older were included. We calculated mortality rates per 100,000 inhabitants and analyzed them by sex, age group, race/skin color, educational level, marital status, federative unit, and method used. Temporal trends were evaluated using Prais–Winsten regression, and comparisons between federative units and the national rate were performed for 2022. Results: There was a 24.6% increase in the overall suicide rate among older adults, rising from 7.11 to 8.86 per 100,000 inhabitants. The growth was higher among men (31.4%) compared to women (10.5%). Deaths were concentrated among adults aged 60–64 years, those of White race/skin color, and individuals with low educational attainment. Hanging was the leading method (70.8%). Northern and Northeastern states showed marked increases, while Rio Grande do Sul consistently had the highest rates in the country. In 2022, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Piauí, and Minas Gerais presented significantly higher suicide rates than the national estimate. Conclusion: Suicide among older adults in Brazil has increased over recent decades, with marked regional and sociodemographic disparities.
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