title: Epidemiology of suicide in Brazil (1980-2000): characterization of age and gender rates of suicide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the suicide rates in Brazil in recent decades, drawing comparisons with the worldwide epidemiological situation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive analyses of Brazilian suicide data, relating to the 1980-2000 period and extracted from the DATASUS database. Brazilian suicide trends were examined by age and gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall rate of suicide in Brazil increased 21% in 20 years. Men were found to be 2.3 to 4.0 times more likely to commit suicide than were women, and the highest suicide rates were found in the over-65 age group. The greatest increase in suicide rates (1900%) was seen in the 15-24 age range.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brazilian suicide rates, although low, are consistent with the global trend toward growth. Although the highest rates are still seen among the elderly, members of the younger population have been killing themselves with ever-increasing frequency.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Institute, Universidade de São Paulo School of Medicine, SP, Brazil. caro_mello@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Carolina de
authors.initials: Cd
authors.lastname: Mello-Santos
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bertolote
authors.forename: Yuan-Pang
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors