Death Rates for Motor Vehicle Traffic Injury, Suicide, and Homicide among Children and Adolescents Aged 10–14

Data published in the November 4th edition of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report describe death rates for motor vehicle traffic injury, suicide, and homicide among children and adolescents aged 10–14. The data show suicide deaths among youth aged 10–14 increasing from 2009 to 2014 and surpassing motor vehicle deaths in 2014. The rate of motor vehicle deaths within this age group declined dramatically from more than 4 deaths per 100,000 people in 1999 to less than 2 deaths per 100,000 in 2014. The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has released a statement on the report, which notes that while suicide is still a relatively rare event, these data underscore the need for a robust approach to youth suicide prevention that is similar to the comprehensive approach that effectively decreased motor vehicle traffic fatalities over the last decade.