Suicide Prevention: The Role of the IHS Environmental Health Officer

Suicide is a serious public health problem in tribal communities nationwide. Between 1999 and 2006, suicide was the second leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) ages 10 34 and the 8th leading cause of death overall, resulting in 2,746 deaths. The suicide rate for AI/AN ages 10 44 was 15.63 between 1999 and 2006, which is nearly 1.5 times higher than the rate for all US races.