Suicide deaths reached a record high in the US in 2022, provisional data shows

(CNN) — More people died from suicide in the United States last year than any other year on record, according to provisional data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Posted 5:55 p.m. Aug 10 — Updated 5:55 p.m. Aug 10

Deidre McPhillips

, CNN

CNN — (CNN) — More people died from suicide in the United States last year than any other year on record, according to provisional data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At least 49,449 lives were lost due to intentional self-harm in 2022 — nearly 15 deaths for every 100,000 people.

The suicide rate spiked in 2021, reversing two years of decline. And with the continued increase in 2022, rates surpassed the previous record from 2018.

Last year’s suicide rate — 14.9 deaths for every 100,000 people — is 5% higher than 2018’s previous record high of 14.2 deaths for every 100,000 people and marks a 10% jump over the two years.

The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics compiles data that states and other jurisdictions report into the National Vital Statistics System each month. The latest update, published Thursday, represents a “complete set of provisional data for 2022,” but data won’t be final until later in the year.

Suicide rose to the 11th leading cause of death in 2021, and provisional data for 2022 shows the same. It falls just below chronic liver disease and above influenza and pneumonia.

Firearms were involved in more than half of all suicides in 2022, the provisional data shows.

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