Suicide burden in the U.S. Air Force: 1990-2004.
OBJECTIVE
To measure indirectly standardized active duty Air Force (ADAF) suicide rates.


METHODS
The study period was 1990-2004. ADAF suicide deaths were obtained from the Air Force Mortality Registry. ADAF population counts were obtained from the Defense Manpower and Data Center. Suicide rates for the U.S. general population were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics.


RESULTS
The standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), adjusted for age, gender, and race, were: all enlisted personnel, 0.64 (95% CI: 0.59-0.69) and all officers, 0.14 (95% CI: 0.10-0.20). Adjusted for age and race, the SMRs were: enlisted men, 0.63 (95% CI: 0.58-0.68); enlisted women, 0.95 (95% CI: 0.66-1.33); officer men, 0.12 (95% CI: 0.08-0.17); and officer women, 0.67 (95% CI: 0.27-1.36).


CONCLUSIONS
There were significant deficits of suicides in overall enlisted personnel and in overall officers. When analyzed further by gender and rank, there were significant deficits only in enlisted men and officer men. Suicide mortality in enlisted and officer women was not significantly less compared to their general population counterparts.
Yamane
Grover K
GK
Epidemiology Consult Service, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, 2513 Kennedy Circle, Brooks City-Base, TX 78235-5116, USA.
Butler
Jenny L
JL
D001359:Aviation; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology