Suicide and Suicidal Attempts in the United States: Costs and Policy Implications.
The national cost of suicides and suicide attempts in the United States in 2013 was $58.4 billion based on reported numbers alone. Lost productivity (termed indirect costs) represents most (97.1%) of this cost. Adjustment for under-reporting increased the total cost to $93.5 billion or $298 per capita, 2.1-2.8 times that of previous studies. Previous research suggests that improved continuity of care would likely reduce the number of subsequent suicidal attempts following a previous nonfatal attempt. We estimate a highly favorable benefit-cost ratio of 6 to 1 for investments in additional medical, counseling, and linkage services for such patients.
Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA.
Donald S
DS
Shepard
Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Shrewsbury, MA, USA.
Deborah
D
Gurewich
Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA.
Aung K
AK
Lwin
Education Development Center Suicide Prevention and Resource Center, Waltham, MA, USA.
Gerald A
GA
Reed
Education Development Center Suicide Prevention and Resource Center, Waltham, MA, USA.
Morton M
MM
Silverman
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011050:Policy Making; D013405:Suicide / Q000191:economics*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult