An analysis of suicide deaths in Ohio has determined that Ashtabula County ranks among the top five counties for highest suicide rate in the state.
The study, performed by the Ohio Alliance for Innovation in Population Health, reviewed suicides in Ohio from 2008 to 2017. Demographics among victims were targeted, such as county, race and sex, while geographic and temporal patterns were also assessed.
The study found that the 15,246 suicides that occurred within the study's timeframe accounted for 1.3% of Ohio's deaths. The state suicide rate per 100,000 increased 24% from 2008 to 2017.
In WKYC's direct coverage area, only Ashtabula County ranked among the top five counties for suicide rate per 100,000. The top 10 counties are as follows:
- Meigs
- Jackson
- Hocking
- Adams
- Ashtabula
- Gallia
- Brown
- Guernsey
- Trumbull
- Muskingum
The report also found that males were at a much greater risk for suicide, while rates were highest among those ages 50-59. In 2017, young adults (ages 20-29) showed the highest suicide rate per group.
