The consistently high suicide rates of older White males provide a strong rationale for increased study of the geriatric suicide problem. Data related to White males aged 60 and older who killed themselves in Arizona during 1970 through 1975 are presented. (Author)

Asserts that the idea that retirement increases risk of illness and death persists because of the availability of vivid anecdotes, a tendency to interpret big events as major causes of illness, cultural celebration of work, theoretical perspectives in gerontology fostering expectations that retirement is disruptive, and misinterpretation of…