Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Escalating Numbers Of Suicides By Gun Propel White House Initiatives
AP: White House Rolls Out New Plan To Combat Gun Suicides In US
The Biden administration is rolling out a new initiative aimed at reducing suicides by gun and combating the significant increases in suicides by members of the military and veterans. The White House is announcing the new plan on Tuesday, which officials say is an unprecedented focus by the federal government on reducing the risk of suicide through awareness and training campaigns and new regulations to increase the availability of gun storage products. (Balsamo, 11/2)
Also —
NBC News: Suicide Rates Declined Again In 2020, But Not For All Groups, CDC Report Shows
In the early days of the pandemic, there were fears that the anxiety, isolation and financial uncertainty would lead to a rise in suicide. Instead, after two decades of rising suicide rates in the U.S., the number of deaths by suicide declined in 2020 for the second year in a row, according to preliminary federal data published Wednesday. While suicide deaths dropped overall in the U.S., there were increases among young adults, as well as American Indians and Alaska Natives, Black Americans and Hispanic Americans, the report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found. (Sullivan, 11/3)
CNN: Overall, Suicide Rates Decreased In The US Last Year -- But Not For Everyone
Suicides in the United States decreased by 3% from 2019 to 2020, despite risk factors for suicide generally increasing, according to data published Wednesday by the National Center for Health Statistics -- part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicides among men declined 2%, and suicides among women fell 8%, with the largest drop occurring in non-Hispanic White women. Suicides in this group fell 10% from 2019 to 2020.However, not every population saw a decline. (Langmaid, 11/3)
In related news about suicide and depression —
WUFT: What Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing In Some Area Codes Means For Mental Health Services
Local calls for four Florida area codes changed to 10-digit calling last month due to next year’s implantation of a three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. On Oct. 24, calls in area codes 941 (Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte counties), 561 (Palm Beach), 352 (Alachua) and 321 (Brevard, Seminole) began requiring 10 digits to make calls. The four Florida area codes, as well as 81 others in the U.S., have started the switch. However, the change gives residents access to 988 for suicide help, just as using 911 for emergencies is available throughout the country. (Sepe, 11/2)
Axios: Unhealthy Habits May Lower Depression Rates Among Latinos, Study Finds
Latinos with an unhealthy response to chronic stress, like smoking or constantly eating junk food, tend to report fewer depression symptoms like hopelessness and restlessness in the long run than those with no dangerous coping mechanisms, according to an analysis. Research has shown that stressors throughout life increase not only the body's wear and tear, known as allostatic load, but also the odds of having depression past age 60. But the study found the link was slightly weakened when Latinos engaged in an unhealthy coping mechanism. (Franco, 11/2)
