Suicide has now passed traffic accidents as the leading cause of injury related death in the United States.

That startling news from a new study, just published in the American Journal of Public Health. Using data from the National Center for Health Statistics gathered from 2000 to 2009, mortality rates for suicide increased by 15-percent, while fatal traffic accidents declined by 25 percent.

Mortality rates also rose for unintentional poisoning by a whopping 128 percent. While death from accidental falls was up 71-percent.

The researchers feel the good news about motor vehicle accident deaths stems from strong programs designed to teach traffic safety, and suggest similar attention be placed on other intervention programs designed to target the suicide rate and poison prevention.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the information you need to protect your health.