• Submitted by: Camila
• Society
• 10 / 24 / 2014

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The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) revealed that Cuba is the country of the Americas with the highest suicide rate, with 16.3 deaths per 100,000 population. This is a significant health problem as it is a preventable cause of death in the continent.

Following Cuba are: Guyana (16), Suriname (14.8), Trinidad and Tobago (12.4), Canada (12.0) and the United States (11.4). The report by suicide mortality in the Americas analyzes data from 48 countries and territories in the region.

According to PAHO, between 2005 and 2009, the suicide rate in America was 7.3 per 100,000 population, lower than the world average of 11.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. The report stressed that men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women, even though they make more attempts.

However, it noted that in the region the rate of deaths by suicide varies significantly between countries. Countries and territories with the lowest rates were Haiti (0.05), Bolivia (0.16), Jamaica (0.30), Anguilla (0.82), Antigua and Barbuda (0.89) and Peru (0.99 ).

Carissa Etienne, PAHO Director, highlighted aspects that make suicide "particularly tragic" including "severe" emotional distress and feelings of loss for whom life is removed, abandonment or guilt of family and friends left behind.

Source: Diario de Cuba