Suicide in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1990 to 1996

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies of suicide in the military have not controlled for the higher suicide rates of the unemployed expected in comparative national populations. This study compared the observed number of suicides among U.S. Marine Corps personnel from 1990 to 1996 with the expected number based on rates for the employed general U.S. population. Standardized mortality ratios were calculated to identify demographic groups with higher or lower than expected numbers of suicides. The scan statistic and the Knox technique were used to evaluate potential suicide cluster patterns. Overall, there were fewer suicides in the Marine Corps (n = 213) than expected (n = 225). Hispanic and other ethnic group males and female Marines had greater than expected numbers. Evidence for suicide clustering in time and space was equivocal.