Death in the West--a regional analysis of the youthful suicide rate.

A remarkable increase of youthful suicides over the past few years has caused the death rate for 15- to 24-year-old adolescents and young adults to rise while there has been a reduction in mortality for all other age groups. To analyze the geographic pattern of this youthful suicide epidemic, a national interstate analysis was done for the years 1964 through 1978. Results indicate a broad regional effect with high ratings of youthful suicide concentrated in the western United States, especially among states of the intermountain region. Statistical analysis shows a strong inverse relationship between youthful suicide and population density. Previous research in this area has usually related high population density (overcrowding) to social and behavioral pathology. The present research indicates, however, that low population density (undercrowding) can also have adverse effects. These undercrowding effects may occur because of social isolation, limited social services and loneliness.