The suicide rate among veterans is about twice that of the general population, and has been rising among younger veterans who served during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2015, an average of 20.6 active-duty service members, non activated Guard or Reserve members, and other veterans died by suicide each day. There have been many epidemiologic studies to compare suicide rates between populations or locales to identify at-risk groups or areas. However, states with high rates do not always account for the greatest proportion of suicides nationally.The midwest has the highest occurences of veteran suicides in the country.This however highlights another trend. While younger veteran suicides occur primarily in the midwest region, the largest distribution of veteran suicides geograpghically is middle aged veterans.
At the conclusion of this visual analysis two things became clear.
There are several factors that seemingly contribute to veteran suicide rates that are observable.
Veteran suicides effect the age group 18- 34 the most and have increased significantly since the Iraq Afghanistan war.
Veteran suicide seems to be regional issue.This brings one to question why more veteran suicides in some places and less in others? Why is the younger veteran population so much more affected than any other? Lastly why the disparity in suicide rates in the veteran population when compared to the general population general population.