Analysis of Causes of Death for All Decedents in Ohio With and Without Mental Illness, 2004–2007

ObjectiveThis study compared causes of death, crude mortality rates, and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) between decedents with mental illness in Ohio’s publicly funded mental health system (“mental illness decedents”) and all Ohio decedents.MethodsOhio death certificates and Ohio Department of Mental Health service utilization data were used to assess mortality among decedents from 2004 to 2007. Age-adjusted SMRs and age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated across race and sex strata.ResultsMental illness decedents accounted for 3.3% of all 438,749 Ohio deaths. Age-adjusted SMRs varied widely across the race and sex strata and by cause of death. Nonblacks with or without mental illness showed higher SMRs than blacks. Nonblack females with mental illness showed the highest SMRs in injury-related deaths. Higher SMRs were found for deaths associated with substance abuse; mental illness; diabetes; issues related to the nervous, cardiovascular, or respiratory systems; and injury. With and without mental illness, the top cause of death was violence for youths and cardiovascular disease for adults >35.ConclusionsDeaths from injury and violence, especially among those