Temporal trends and geographic patterns of teen suicide in Alaska, 1979-1993.

The author analyzed death certificate and U.S. census data to document trends in suicide rates among Alaskans 14-19 years of age. During 1979-1993, Alaskan teenagers had a suicide rate of 31.5 per 100,000 persons per year. Suicide rates varied up to sixfold by race, gender, and local census area of residence; in particular, Alaska Native males had one of the highest documented suicide rates in the world. Suicide rates increased two- to threefold during the study period for persons less than 18 years of age, while remaining stable for older teenagers. Within census areas, suicide rates correlated inversely with the percentage of all households headed by a married couple.