CDC: Suicides were 62% of 72,000 U.S. violent deaths in 2023
A new CDC report counted 72,093 violent deaths in 2023 across the 50 states and Washington, D.C., and guns were involved in 58.6% of them. Suicides made up 62.4% and homicides 28.5%, with men 85 and older at the highest suicide risk. Anyone in crisis can call or text 988.
A new CDC report gives the fullest look yet at violent deaths in the U.S. in 2023. It counted 72,093 deaths in the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Suicides made up 62.4% of them and homicides 28.5%. Guns were involved in 58.6%.
The data come from the National Violent Death Reporting System. It pulls together death certificates, coroner and medical examiner reports and police records. That lets researchers see the circumstances around each death, such as a breakup, an illness or a recent crisis.
Suicide is the largest share of these deaths, and the report counted 44,966 suicides, a rate of 14.7 per 100,000 people. The rate for men was nearly four times the rate for women. Men 85 and older had the highest rate, 53.0 per 100,000. Guns were used in 54.5% of suicides, Medical Daily reported.
Warning signs were often present beforehand. Among suicides with known details, about half of the people had a diagnosed mental health problem. Problems with a partner played a role in about a quarter, and physical health problems in about a fifth. Alcohol was involved in 38.4%.
Homicide tells a different story, and the homicide rate was 6.7 per 100,000, and guns were involved in 77.8% of homicides. About 46.5% of killings of women were tied to violence by a partner.
States are using the data. In Michigan, officials now print the 988 crisis line on hunting licenses, Medical Daily reported.
Some background: The system now covers every state, but California, Florida and Texas sent data from only some counties. It captured 91.6% of these deaths nationwide. National death-certificate data put 2023 at about 49,000 suicides and 23,000 homicides.
Where to get help: Call or text 988, or chat online, for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Veterans can dial 988 and press 1. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.
What we know: Suicides were the majority of 72,093 violent deaths tracked in 2023.
What we don't: Full counts for California, Florida and Texas.
Where outlets agree The CDC's summary and Medical Daily both report 72,093 violent deaths in 2023, with suicides at 62.4% and homicides at 28.5%.
Where they differ The reporting system counts about 45,000 suicides, while national death-certificate data put 2023 near 49,000, partly because the system still lacks full coverage in California, Florida and Texas.