Aims:
Suicide rates in the general population in the United States are correlated with altitude. To explore factors contributing to suicide among military veterans, we examined the relationship between veteran state-level suicide rates and altitude for 2014, including firearm-related and nonfirearm-related rates.
Methods:
Pearson's coefficients were calculated for altitude and each outcome. Mixed linear models were used to determine the association between suicide and altitude while adjusting for demographic confounds.
Results:
State mean altitude was significantly correlated with total veteran suicide rate (
r
= 0.678,
p
< 0.0001), veteran firearm-related suicide rate (
r
= 0.578,
p
< 0.0001), and veteran nonfirearm suicide rate (
r
= 0.609,
p
< 0.0001). In mixed models, altitude was significantly correlated with total veteran suicide rate (β = 0.331,
p
< 0.05), veteran firearm suicides (β = 0.282,
p
< 0.05), and veteran nonfirearm suicides (β = 0.393,
p
< 0.05).
Conclusion:
This study adds to evidence linking altitude and suicide rates, arguing for additional research into the relationship between altitude and suicide among veterans.