Abstract
Background
The black and minority ethnic (BME) elderly population size in England and Wales has progressively increased over the last three decades. Only two studies, both well over a decade old, have compared suicide rates in BME groups in England and Wales with those in their country of origin.
Methods
A study comparing suicide rates among elderly migrants in England and Wales and in their country of origin using the latest available mortality data from the Office of National Statistics and the World Health Organization was conducted.
Results
There were wide variations in standardised mortality ratios for elderly suicides among migrants from different countries compared with those born in England and Wales and in their country of origin. There was convergence towards elderly suicide rates for England and Wales in some migrant groups in males in the age‐bands 65–74 years and 75 + years, and in females in the age‐band 75 + years. However, males aged 75 + years from most migrant groups had higher rates than those born in England and Wales.
Conclusion
A more detailed analysis of suicide of older people from migrant groups is required to determine vulnerability and protective influences. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.