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New gun violence report finds men over 85 are at high risk of suicide

Firearm deaths are a growing problem, both across the U.S. and in Arizona. Now, a new report finds that gun violence is one of the leading causes of death among adults and children.

The report by the Arizona Public Health Association is grim. Gun deaths are on the rise, so are suicides. Allan Williams, a former epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health, co-authored the report. 

"One of the most surprising things to me is the fact that it is firearm suicides that represent two-thirds of firearm mortality," he said.

And when you drill down and start sussing out the differences between men and women, he said, "Men have the the highest rates of suicide and, and in the 85-plus bracket, it's almost a 24-fold difference between men and women in the suicide rate."

The study did not look at reasons why; however, isolation, declining physical health or the death of a spouse could be risk factors for suicide

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, there is help. Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 (en Español, llame al 988, prensa 2; for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, dial 711 then 988). You may also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

KJZZ senior field correspondent Kathy Ritchie has 20 years of experience reporting and writing stories for national and local media outlets — nearly a decade of it has been spent in public media.