Dear Allyson,

Thank you for your email dated 15 April 2023. Our reply is given below.

a. Quarterly numbers of deaths classified as suicide since 2022 to present
in Hong Kong, detailed by sex and age group of the deceased

In Hong Kong, a death registration system is in place to collect
information related to all deaths that occurred locally. The Department of
Health compiles annual mortality statistics based on the death
registration at the Immigration Department.  Kindly note that the
mortality statistics in 2022 are still being compiled. Provisional
mortality statistics for 2022 are expected to be released in the third
quarter of 2023 and finalised statistics will be released in the fourth
quarter of 2023.

b. How suicide is classified

Classification of diseases and causes of death is based on the
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health
Problems (ICD) 10th Revision. According to the ICD 10th Revision, a death
is classified as suicide if the underlying cause of death is "Intentional
self-harm" (ICD-10: X60 - X84). Please refer to the link below for more
details:
[1]https://icd.who.int/browse10/2019/en#/X6...

Regards,

(Mr David YAU)
for Director of Health

From:        Allyson van de Pol <[FOI #1347 email]>
To:        FOI requests at Department of Health <[Department of Health request email]>
Date:        15/04/2023 18:27
Subject:        Freedom of Information request - Suicide Numbers 2022-23

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Dear Department of Health,

Please provide quarterly numbers of deaths classified as suicide since
2022 to present in Hong Kong, detailed by sex and age group of the
deceased.

Can you also please advise how a suicide is classified?

Yours faithfully,

Allyson van de Pol

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