Suicide and homicide among Hispanics in the southwest.

A study of suicide and homicide among Hispanics of Mexican origin (Mexican Americans) focused on five southwestern States--Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas--where more than 60 percent of all Hispanics in the United States reside. And 85 percent of them are Mexican Americans. Data were obtained on all suicides and homicides among Hispanics and Anglos (white non-Hispanics), using Anglos as a comparison group. Results for suicide showed the suicide rate for Hispanics (9.0 per 100,000) to be less than the national rate for whites (13.2) and half that of the Anglos residing in the same area (19.2). The lower suicide rate for Hispanics relative to Anglos is seen for both males and females. For homicide, the overall rate for Hispanics (20.5) was more than 2 1/2 times that of Anglos (7.9). The rate for Hispanic men (39.3) was more than three times the rate for Anglo men (11.4).