RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.
OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the rate of suicide deaths among Medicaid beneficiaries, compared with rates in the overall U.S. population.
METHODS: Medicaid enrollment data were linked to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Death Index for 2020 to determine the rate of suicide deaths among Medicaid beneficiaries, overall and by age and sex. These data were compared with U.S. population data from the 2020 U.S. Census and national suicide data from the CDC's Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) database.
RESULTS: There were 9,401 suicide deaths among Medicaid beneficiaries in 2020. Compared with the whole U.S. population, the Medicaid population suicide death rate was higher for individuals ages 25-64 (21.1 vs. 17.6 per 100,000, respectively), and lower among individuals ages <25 (3.9 vs. 6.4) and ages ≥65 (10.6 vs. 16.4).
CONCLUSIONS: The higher suicide rates among Medicaid beneficiaries ages 25-64 may reflect greater financial strain experienced by middle-aged, low-income individuals.
RTI shares its evidence-based research - through peer-reviewed publications and media - to ensure that it is accessible for others to build on, in line with our mission and scientific standards.
