Violent deaths among the young: recent trends in suicide, homicide, and accidents.

Violent deaths (suicide, homicide, and accidents) are the leading cause of death in people aged 1--39 in the United States. All three types of violent death may represent suicidal tendencies. Among early (10--14 years), middle (15--19), and late (20--24) adolescents, suicide and homicide rates increased with age and have doubled from 1961 to 1975. Accident rates increased with age but have changed little over the 15-year period. Suicide, homicide, and accidents increased dramatically between the 10--14-year-old age group and the 15--19-year-old age group; suicide and homicide rates were remarkably parallel over time; and suicide rates among young white people were higher and increased more than those among young nonwhite people.