Suicide rates increase in U.S. over past 20 years: CDC

Suicide rates have increased during the last 20 years in the United States and remain high, according to a report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday, reported Xinhua.

More than 49,000 people died in the country by suicide in 2022. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34, according to CDC.

Suicide risk may depend on certain community-level factors such as health insurance, internet access, and income, according to the report.

Compared to counties with the lowest levels of these factors, suicide rates were 26 percent lower in counties with the highest health insurance coverage, 44 percent lower in counties where most homes have broadband internet access, and 13 percent lower in counties with the most household income, according to the report.

"These findings reinforce other studies that show that the conditions where people are born, grow, live, work, and age can play an important role in shaping suicide prevention efforts," said CDC.