Health Highlight Report for Socorro County
Suicide Death: Deaths per 100,000 Population, Age-adjusted, 2013-2017
Socorro County 28.695% Confidence Interval (17 - 40.2)Description of the Confidence IntervalThe confidence interval indicates the range of probable true values for the level of risk in the community.
A value of "DNA" (Data Not Available) will appear if the confidence interval was not published with the IBIS indicator data for this measure.Statistical Stability StableDescription of Statistical Stability- Stable = This count or rate is relatively stable and should provide a good estimate of your community risk.
- Unstable = This count or rate is statistically unstable (RSE >0.30), and may fluctuate widely due to random variation (chance).
- Very Unstable = This count or rate is extremely unstable (RSE >0.50). This value should not be used to represent your population risk. You should combine years or otherwise increase the population denominator in this calculation.
- DNA = Data Not Available. The required community value and/or confidence interval was not available for this measure.
New Mexico 21.9U.S. 13.5Socorro County Compared to State
Description of Dashboard GaugeDescription of the Dashboard Gauge
This "dashboard" type graphic is based on the community data on the right. It compares the community value on this indicator to the state overall value.- Excellent = The community's value on this indicator is BETTER than the state value, and the difference IS statistically significant.
- Watch = The community's value is BETTER than state value, but the difference IS NOT statistically significant.
- Improvement Needed = The community's value on this indicator is WORSE than the state value, but the difference IS NOT statistically significant.
- Reason for Concern = The community's value on this indicator is WORSE than the state value, and the difference IS statistically significant.
The community value is considered statistically significantly different from the state value if the state value is outside the range of the community's 95% confidence interval. If the community's data or 95% confidence interval information is not available, a blank gauge image will be displayed with the message, "missing information."NOTE: The labels used on the gauge graphic are meant to describe the community's status in plain language. The placement of the gauge needle is based solely on the statistical difference between the community and state values. When selecting priority health issues to work on, a community should take into account additional factors such as how much improvement could be made, the U.S. value, the statistical stability of the community number, the severity of the health condition, and whether the difference is clinically significant.
Why Is This Important?
Suicidal behaviors are a serious public health problem and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in New Mexico. In 2017, suicide was the ninth leading cause of death in NM, the second leading cause of death by age group for persons 5-34 years of age and the fourth leading cause of death by age group for persons 35-44 years of age. Suicide accounted for 15,048 Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL), fourth after unintentional injuries, cancer, and heart disease deaths. The YPLL is a measure of premature mortality in a population that describes the impact of injury-related deaths on a society compared to other causes of death. Suicide deaths have been increasing in both New Mexico and the United States, with suicide death rates in NM at least 50% higher than U.S. rates over the past 20 years. Mental disorders, particularly clinical depression, increase the risk for both attempted suicide and suicide. Other risk factors associated with suicide include a previous suicide attempt, alcohol and substance abuse, a family history of suicide, a history of child maltreatment, feelings of hopelessness, isolation, barriers to mental health treatment, loss (of relationships, social connections, work, finances), physical illness, and easy access to lethal methods, such as firearms.Risk and Resiliency Factors
Mental and substance use disorders, especially alcohol use disorders, are associated with suicide. Approximately 23% of suicide deaths are directly attributable to alcohol consumption.How Are We Doing?
The suicide rate in NM has consistently been at least 50% higher than the U.S. rate. Suicide rates in NM and the U.S. have increased over the period 1999-2017. In 2016, the age-adjusted suicide rate in NM was 64% higher than the U.S. age-adjusted rate.What Is Being Done?
The New Mexico Department of Health collects, analyzes, and disseminates suicide death data in order to identify populations with disproportionately high rates of suicide. These data can be used in conjunction with community partners to develop and implement prevention and intervention efforts to reduce suicide deaths. The NMDOH Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics collects information on all NM deaths and produces annual suicide statistics. The NM Violent Death Reporting System was implemented in 2005 to add to the understanding of how and why violent deaths occur. This active surveillance system collects comprehensive information about all violent deaths, including suicide, by linking data from death certificates, medical examiner records, and law enforcement reports into one complete record. In addition, the NM Child Fatality Review Program Suicide Panel completes an in-depth case review of suicides among children through age 17 years and makes recommendations about how to prevent future deaths.Evidence-based Practices
For reviews of evidence-based practices, please see: -Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/suicideTechnicalPackage.pdf -U.S. Preventive Services Task Force https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/ -U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC The Guide to Community Preventive Services (The Community Guide) https://www.thecommunityguide.org/ -Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: http://www.samhsa.gov/nreppHealthy People Objective MHMD-1:
Reduce the suicide rateU.S. Target: 10.2 suicides per 100,000
Related Indicators
Relevant Population Characteristics:
- New Mexico Population - Poverty Among All Persons
- New Mexico Population - Race/Ethnicity
- Unemployment Rate
Health Care System Factors:
- Health Care Access - Unable to Get Care Because of Cost
- Health Care Access - Primary Medical Provider
Risk Factors:
- Child Abuse and Neglect
- Mental Health - Adult Depression
- Mental Health - Adult Suicide Attempts
- Mental Health - Emergency Department Admissions for Self Injury
- Mental Health - Youth Injured in a Suicide Attempt
- Mental Health - Youth Non-Suicidal Self Injury
- Mental Health - Youth Attempted Suicide
- Multiple Chronic Conditions
Health Status Outcomes:
Note
Suicide deaths for 1995-1998 were defined by underlying cause of death based on International Classification of Diseases, version 9 (ICD-9) codes; and suicide deaths for 1999 and later were defined by underlying cause of death based on International Classification of Diseases, version 10 (ICD-10) codes. All rates are per 100,000, age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. (#) Values are unstable. (##) Values are very unstable.Data Sources
New Mexico Death Data: Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics (BVRHS), New Mexico Department of Health. New Mexico Population Estimates: University of New Mexico, Geospatial and Population Studies (GPS) Program, http://gps.unm.edu/. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, CDC WONDER Online Database (http://wonder.cdc.gov).Measure Description for Suicide Death
Definition: The suicide death rate is defined as the number of deaths attributed to suicide per 100,000 population.
Numerator: The total number of suicide deaths per year.
Denominator: The estimated mid-year population.
