Healthy People 2030 sets data-driven national objectives to improve health and well-being over the next decade. It includes a national objective of reducing the suicide rate, setting a target rate of no more than 12.8 suicides per 100,000 people. Similarly, Let’s Get Healthy California, a shared vision for the future health of Californians, includes a focus on reducing suicide. Suicide is a major health concern in California that can both have immediate and long-term impacts on individuals, families, and entire communities.

This indicator measures the rate of suicide among adults age 60 or older in California. Reducing this rate and addressing older adult behavioral health needs, including reducing disparities in rates of suicide by sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity, is key to promoting lifelong healthy aging. Check out the Health Reimagined Goal Page to explore dynamic visualizations and view more detailed data related to this topic.

To learn more about our data sources and methodologies, please see the Data Dashboard for Aging - About the Data Technical Guide.

• Healthy People 2030: Reduce the suicide rate – MHMD-01
• Living Well/Reducing Suicide (CDPH)
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline
• Friendship Line California: Helping Older Adults Stay Connected
• Suicide and Older Adults: What You Should Know (NCOA)
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center: Older Adults