Suicide Among Older Hispanic Adults: A Call to Action.

Abstract

In 2020, suicide was the 12th leading cause of death in the United States (Garnett et al., 2022). Suicide contributes to high healthcare costs and accounts for numerous emergency department visits. The United States’ Healthy People 2030 Initiative has outlined a goal to reduce the suicide rate overall, and recent data shows that progress is being made (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d). However, despite continuing progress by several health entities (e.g., CDC), suicide remains a critical, complex health problem, with numerous challenges and hurdles (Knox et al., 2004). Practitioners, health educators, and clinicians need to engage in the promotion of equitable healthcare access and increase provider services to populations at-risk for suicide. There has been a rapid increase in suicidal behaviors by adult Hispanic populations. From 2010 to 2020, suicide rates among Hispanics increased by 35.7% for males and 40.6% for females (Khubchandani & Price, 2022). Hispanic males and females were more likely to take their own life by hanging/suffocation methods. Further, in 2020, suicide became the 5th leading cause of death among Hispanic adults in the United States (Khubchandani & Price, 2022), highlighting the need to investigate further these trends and behaviors among this population. Despite a high prevalence of suicidal behaviors, little attention has been given to Hispanic older adults (i.e., individuals >50 years of age). The literature shows that suicide among older adults is not new, in fact Baca-Garcia et al. (2011) found that Puerto Rican women ages 45–64 are at a high risk of engaging in suicidal behaviors, compared to White women (4.4% to 2.4%, respectively). Although Hispanic populations are less likely to die by suicide (Smith et al., 1985), which is likely an undercount, they are also more likely not to have access to healthcare, behavioral health, and preventive health services (Velasco-Mondragon et al., 2016). Further, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (LeFevre & US Preventive Services Task Force*, 2014) recommends greater access to screening for populations who may not have access to such services. Access to screening and care is one of the main protective factors against injury and co-morbid conditions. Tailored interventions (e.g., culturally competent programs designed to instruct others on the warning signs of suicide; increase screening and access to suicide prevention initiatives) are warranted to highlight the potential causes of life-threatening behaviors, such as suicide. A paucity of research has examined the risk factors associated with suicide among older Hispanic adults suicide. There is a critical need healthcare professionals and researchers to focus these issues. Researchers must focus on the factors associated with suicidal behaviors and allow a multicultural lens to influence their research practices. To improve the nation’s health and reach the Healthy People 2030 Initiative, we must focus more on the Hispanic population, the fastest growing segment of the total United States population. In particular, older Hispanic adults must be considered and not allowed to be forgotten.