Washington

Please be sure to read the data notes & limitations page. This explains many aspects of these comments, including how only changes over time can be discussed as statistically significant, and why the comparisons with national rates discuss data for selected subgroups.

Overview of Findings

Findings for Washington included a decrease in overall mortality and suicide mortality.  Findings for most objectives were not available. In 2007, Washington compared favorably to national rates on overall mortality and mortality due to motor vehicle crashes. However, suicide rates were higher in Washington than nationally.

Highlights of Findings by Objective

Jump To: Mortality; Unintentional Injury; Violence; Substance Use and Mental Health

Mortality

The rate of overall mortality among adolescents in Washington decreased from baseline for adolescents and young adults and for most subgroups. In 2007, males had two to three times the rate of females. Among older adolescents, Whites had higher rates than Hispanics. Among young adults, Blacks had the highest rate, followed by Hispanics, and Whites. Asian/Pacific Islanders had the lowest rates.

Comparison with national data: As in Washington, national mortality rates decreased for younger and older adolescents. The national rate for young adults increased, in contrast to the decrease in Washington. In 2007, overall mortality rates Washington were lower than the national rate across all age groups and for most subgroups. The national gender pattern matched the pattern noted for Washington. Nationally, White and Hispanic older adolescents had virtually matching mortality rates, in contrast to higher rates among Whites in Washington.  The national racial/ethnic pattern among young adults matched the pattern noted for Washington.

Unintentional Injury

(motor vehicle crashes)

Adolescent mortality in Washington due to motor vehicle crashes was essentially flat from baseline. In 2007, males had nearly three times the motor vehicle crash mortality of females. Hispanics had slightly a higher rate than Whites.

Comparison with national data. The national rate of motor vehicle crash mortality was also flat. In 2007, the rate for Washington was lower than the national rate. The national gender pattern matched the pattern noted for Washington. Nationally, Whites had a slightly higher rate than Hispanics, the reverse of the pattern noted for Washington.

Violence

(homicide)

Homicide rates were based on fewer than 20 deaths; thus were unsuitable for analyses.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health

(suicide)

The suicide rate among older adolescents declined from baseline. The rate also decreased among White older adolescents overall and among White males in that age group. Rates for other subgroups were based on fewer than 20 deaths and thus were unsuitable for analysis.

Comparison with national data. The rate of suicide for older adolescents changed little from baseline, in contrast to a decline in Washington. National decreases among White older adolescents and males in that age group were smaller than decreases for those groups in Washington.  In 2007, the suicide rate in Washington for older adolescents was higher than the national rate.

Additional data may be available at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/mch/cahcp/default.htm