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Marco M, López-Quílez A, Sánchez-Sáez F, Escobar-Hernández P, Montagud-Andrés M, Lila M, Gracia E. The Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Suicide-related Emergency Calls in a European City: Age and Gender Patterns, and Neighborhood Influences. PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTION 2024; 33:103-115. [PMID: 38706710 PMCID: PMC11066811 DOI: 10.5093/pi2024a8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive spatio-temporal analysis of suicide-related emergency calls in the city of Valencia (Spain) over a six-year period. To this end we first examined age and gender patterns and, second, the influence of neighborhood characteristics on general and gender-specific spatio-temporal patterns of suicide-related emergency calls. Method: Geocoded data on suicide-related emergency calls between 2017 and 2022 (N = 10,030) were collected from the 112 emergency service in Valencia. Data were aggregated at the census block group level, used as a proxy for neighborhoods, and trimesters were considered as the temporal unit. Two set of analyses were performed: (1) demographic (age and gender) and temporal descriptive analyses and (2) general and gender-specific Bayesian spatio-temporal autoregressive models. Results: Descriptive analyses revealed a higher incidence of suicide-related emergency calls among females and an increase in calls among the 18-23 age group from 2020 onwards. The general spatio-temporal model showed higher levels of suicide-related emergency calls in neighborhoods characterized by lower education levels and population density, and higher residential mobility, aging population, and immigrant concentration. Relevant gender differences were also observed. A seasonal effect was noted, with a peak in calls during spring for females and summer for males. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for comprehensive mental health targeted interventions and preventive strategies that account for gender-specific disparities, age-related vulnerabilities, and the specific characteristics of neighborhoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Marco
- University of ValenciaDepartment of Social PsychologyValenciaSpainDepartment of Social Psychology, University of Valencia, Spain;
| | - Antonio López-Quílez
- University of ValenciaDepartment of Statistics and Operational ResearchValenciaSpainDepartment of Statistics and Operational Research, University of Valencia, Spain;
| | - Francisco Sánchez-Sáez
- Universidad Internacional de La RiojaSchool of Engineering and TechnologySpainSchool of Engineering and Technology (ESIT), Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Spain
| | - Pablo Escobar-Hernández
- University of ValenciaDepartment of Statistics and Operational ResearchValenciaSpainDepartment of Statistics and Operational Research, University of Valencia, Spain;
| | - María Montagud-Andrés
- University of ValenciaDepartment of Social PsychologyValenciaSpainDepartment of Social Psychology, University of Valencia, Spain;
| | - Marisol Lila
- University of ValenciaDepartment of Social PsychologyValenciaSpainDepartment of Social Psychology, University of Valencia, Spain;
| | - Enrique Gracia
- University of ValenciaDepartment of Social PsychologyValenciaSpainDepartment of Social Psychology, University of Valencia, Spain;
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Zhou Y, Lu Y, Wei D, He S. Impacts of social deprivation on mortality and protective effects of greenness exposure in Hong Kong, 1999-2018: A spatiotemporal perspective. Health Place 2024; 87:103241. [PMID: 38599046 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Addressing health inequality is crucial for fostering healthy city development. However, there is a dearth of literature simultaneously investigating the effects of social deprivation and greenness exposure on mortality risks, as well as how greenness exposure may mitigate the adverse effect of social deprivation on mortality risks from a spatiotemporal perspective. Drawing on socioeconomic, remote sensing, and mortality record data, this study presents spatiotemporal patterns of social deprivation, population weighted greenness exposure, and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in Hong Kong. A Bayesian regression model was applied to investigate the impacts of social deprivation and greenness exposure on mortality and examine how socioeconomic inequalities in mortality may vary across areas with different greenness levels in Hong Kong from 1999 to 2018. We observed a decline in social deprivation (0.67-0.56), and an increase in greenness exposure (0.34-0.41) in Hong Kong during 1999-2018. Areas with high mortality gradually clustered in the Kowloon Peninsula and the northern regions of Hong Kong Island. Adverse impacts of social deprivation on all-cause mortality weakened in recent years (RR from 2009 to 2013: 1.103, 95%CI: 1.051-1.159, RR from 2014 to 2018: 1.041 95%CI: 0.950-1.139), while the protective impacts of greenness exposure consistently strengthened (RR from 1999 to 2003: 0.903, 95%CI: 0.827-0.984, RR from 2014 to 2018: 0.859, 95%CI: 0.763-0.965). Moreover, the adverse effects of social deprivation on mortality risks were found to be higher in areas with lower greenness exposure. These findings provide evidence of associations between social deprivation, greenness exposure, and mortality risks in Hong Kong over the past decades, and highlight the potential of greenness exposure to mitigate health inequalities. Our study provides valuable implications for policymakers to develop a healthy city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Zhou
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| | - Di Wei
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Hubei Engineering and Technology Research Center of Urbanization, Wuhan, China.
| | - Shenjing He
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, Urban Systems Institute, And the Social Infrastructure for Equity and Wellbeing Lab, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, China.
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Huang WC, Hsu CY, Chang CM, Yang AC, Liao SC, Chang SS, Wu CS. Psychiatrist density and risk of suicide: a multilevel case-control study based on a national sample in Taiwan. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 78:69-76. [PMID: 37812045 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
AIM No previous studies, to our knowledge, have investigated the association between psychiatrist density and suicide, accounting for individual- and area-level characteristics. METHODS We investigated all suicide cases in 2007-2017 identified from the national cause-of-death data files, with each suicide case matched to 10 controls by age and sex and each suicide case/control assigned to one of the 355 townships across Taiwan. Our primary outcome was the odds ratio (OR) of suicide and its 95% confidence interval (CI) estimated via multilevel models, which included both individual- and area-level characteristics. Townships with no psychiatrists were compared with the quartiles of townships with psychiatrists (density per 100,000 population): quartile 1 (Q1) (0.01-3.02); quartile 2 (Q2) (3.02-7.20); quartile 3 (Q3) (7.20-13.82); and quartile 4 (Q4) (>13.82). RESULTS A total of 40,930 suicide cases and 409,300 age- and sex-matched controls were included. We found that increased psychiatrist density was associated with decreased suicide risk (Q1: adjusted OR [aOR], 0.95 [95% CI, 0.90-1.01]; Q2: aOR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.85-0.96]; Q3: aOR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.83-0.94]; Q4: aOR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.83-0.95]) after adjusting for individual-level characteristics (employment state, monthly income, physical comorbidities, and the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders) and area socioeconomic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS The psychiatrist density-suicide association suggests an effect of increased availability of psychiatric services on preventing suicide. Suicide prevention strategies could usefully focus on enhancing local access to psychiatric services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chia Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Master of Public Health Degree Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yueh Hsu
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ming Chang
- Department of Psychiatry and Suicide Prevention Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Ko, Taiwan
| | - Albert C Yang
- Digital Medicine Center/Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Cheng Liao
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu Hospital, Hsin-Chu City, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Sen Chang
- Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, and Global Health Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Population Health Research Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Shin Wu
- National Center for Geriatrics and Welfare Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
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Pavicic M, Walker AM, Sullivan KA, Lagergren J, Cliff A, Romero J, Streich J, Garvin MR, Pestian J, McMahon B, Oslin DW, Beckham JC, Kimbrel NA, Jacobson DA. Using iterative random forest to find geospatial environmental and Sociodemographic predictors of suicide attempts. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1178633. [PMID: 37599888 PMCID: PMC10433206 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1178633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Despite a recent global decrease in suicide rates, death by suicide has increased in the United States. It is therefore imperative to identify the risk factors associated with suicide attempts to combat this growing epidemic. In this study, we aim to identify potential risk factors of suicide attempt using geospatial features in an Artificial intelligence framework. Methods We use iterative Random Forest, an explainable artificial intelligence method, to predict suicide attempts using data from the Million Veteran Program. This cohort incorporated 405,540 patients with 391,409 controls and 14,131 attempts. Our predictive model incorporates multiple climatic features at ZIP-code-level geospatial resolution. We additionally consider demographic features from the American Community Survey as well as the number of firearms and alcohol vendors per 10,000 people to assess the contributions of proximal environment, access to means, and restraint decrease to suicide attempts. In total 1,784 features were included in the predictive model. Results Our results show that geographic areas with higher concentrations of married males living with spouses are predictive of lower rates of suicide attempts, whereas geographic areas where males are more likely to live alone and to rent housing are predictive of higher rates of suicide attempts. We also identified climatic features that were associated with suicide attempt risk by age group. Additionally, we observed that firearms and alcohol vendors were associated with increased risk for suicide attempts irrespective of the age group examined, but that their effects were small in comparison to the top features. Discussion Taken together, our findings highlight the importance of social determinants and environmental factors in understanding suicide risk among veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Pavicic
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Computational and Predictive Biology, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Angelica M. Walker
- The Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Kyle A. Sullivan
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Computational and Predictive Biology, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - John Lagergren
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Computational and Predictive Biology, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Ashley Cliff
- The Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Jonathon Romero
- The Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Jared Streich
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Computational and Predictive Biology, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Michael R. Garvin
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Computational and Predictive Biology, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - John Pestian
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Computational and Predictive Biology, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Benjamin McMahon
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - David W. Oslin
- VISN 4 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Center of Excellence, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jean C. Beckham
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, United States
- VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nathan A. Kimbrel
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, United States
- VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Seattle, WA, United States
- Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- VA Health Services Research and Development Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Daniel A. Jacobson
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Computational and Predictive Biology, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
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Zangeneh A, Khademi N, Farahmandmoghadam N, Ziapour A, Naderlou R, Oghli SS, Teimouri R, Yenneti K, Moghadam S. Spatiotemporal clustering of suicide attempt in Kermanshah, West-Iran. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1174071. [PMID: 37583840 PMCID: PMC10425239 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1174071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A suicide attempt is a major societal problem because it imposes high costs on societies worldwide. This paper analyses the spatiotemporal clustering of suicide attempt in Kermanshah, Iran from 2006-14. Methods This study draws on 18,333 individuals (7,234 males and 11,097 females) who attempted suicide across the Kermanshah province. Data was collected from the records of individuals registered in hospitals across the Kermanshah province between 2006 and 2014. Mean Center, Standard Deviational Ellipse (SDE), Moran's I and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) in Arc/GIS10.6 software were used for the analysis of the spatial distribution of suicide attempt, while the chi-squared test in SPSS was used to examine the different demographic variables between groups within/outside spatial clusters of suicide. Results The results show that a total of 18,331 suicide attempts (39.46% male and 60.53% female) were reported between 2006 and 2014 in the Kermanshah province. The spatial pattern of suicide attempts was clustered in 16 clusters (6 high clusters and 10 low clusters) and statistically significant differences were found within and outside the hotspots of suicide attempts. Most hot spots were formed in and around cities. Younger people were at a greater risk. The rate of suicide attempts reduced in illiterate people and increased in people with university degrees. Unmarried people were associated with a higher risk of suicide attempt than was married status for both males and females. Conclusion The results of this study could help public health practitioners and policymakers in Iran prioritize resources and target efforts for suicide attempt prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Zangeneh
- Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Nahid Khademi
- Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Naser Farahmandmoghadam
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Khomeini and Mohammad Kermanshahi Hospitals, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Arash Ziapour
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Health Institute, Imam-Ali Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Reyhane Naderlou
- Geography and Urban Planning, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Somayyeh Shalchi Oghli
- Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Raziyeh Teimouri
- UniSA Creative, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Komali Yenneti
- School of Architecture and the Built Environment, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
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Lu FW, Conway E, Liang YL, Chen YY, Gunnell D, Chang SS. Space-time self-harm and suicide clusters in two cities in Taiwan. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2023; 32:e37. [PMID: 37258458 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796023000513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Suicidal acts may cluster in time and space and lead to community concerns about further imitative suicidal episodes. Although suicide clusters have been researched in previous studies, less is known about the clustering of non-fatal suicidal behaviour (self-harm). Furthermore, most previous studies used crude temporal and spatial information, e.g., numbers aggregated by month and residence area, for cluster detection analysis. This study aimed to (i) identify space-time clusters of self-harm and suicide using daily incidence data and exact address and (ii) investigate the characteristics of cluster-related suicidal acts. METHODS Data on emergency department presentations for self-harm and suicide deaths in Taipei City and New Taipei City, Taiwan, were used in this study. In all-age and age-specific analyses, self-harm and suicide clusters were identified using space-time permutation scan statistics. A cut-off of 0.10 for the p value was used to identify possible clusters. Logistic regression was used to investigate the characteristics associated with cluster-related episodes. RESULTS A total of 5,291 self-harm episodes and 1,406 suicides in Taipei City (2004-2006) and 20,531 self-harm episodes and 2,329 suicides in New Taipei City (2012-2016) were included in the analysis. In the two cities, two self-harm clusters (n [number of self-harm episodes or suicide deaths in the cluster] = 4 and 8 in Taipei City), four suicide clusters (n = 3 in Taipei City and n = 4, 11 and 4 in New Taipei City) and two self-harm and suicide combined clusters (n = 4 in Taipei City and n = 8 in New Taipei City) were identified. Space-time clusters of self-harm, suicide, and self-harm and suicide combined accounted for 0.05%, 0.59%, and 0.08% of the respective groups of suicidal acts. Cluster-related episodes of self-harm and suicide were more likely to be male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26, 3.89) and young people aged 10-29 years (aOR = 2.72, 95% CI 1.43, 5.21) than their cluster-unrelated counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Space-time clusters of self-harm, suicide, and self-harm and suicide combined accounted for a relatively small proportion of suicidal acts and were associated with some sex/age characteristics. Focusing on suicide deaths alone may underestimate the size of some clusters and/or lead to some clusters being overlooked. Future research could consider combining self-harm and suicide data and use social connection information to investigate possible clusters of suicidal acts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Wen Lu
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Erica Conway
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Global Health Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Lun Liang
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Yeh Chen
- Taipei City Psychiatric Centre, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Public Health and Department of Public Health, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - David Gunnell
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston National Health Service Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Shu-Sen Chang
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Global Health Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Badaloni C, De Sario M, Caranci N, De' Donato F, Bolignano A, Davoli M, Leccese L, Michelozzi P, Leone M. A spatial indicator of environmental and climatic vulnerability in Rome. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 176:107970. [PMID: 37224679 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urban areas are disproportionately affected by multiple pressures from overbuilding, traffic, air pollution, and heat waves that often interact and are interconnected in producing health effects. A new synthetic tool to summarize environmental and climatic vulnerability has been introduced for the city of Rome, Italy, to provide the basis for environmental and health policies. METHODS From a literature overview and based on the availability of data, several macro-dimensions were identified on 1,461 grid cells with a width of 1 km2 in Rome: land use, roads and traffic-related exposure, green space data, soil sealing, air pollution (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, C6H6, SO2), urban heat island intensity. The Geographically Weighted Principal Component Analysis (GWPCA) method was performed to produce a composite spatial indicator to describe and interpret each spatial feature by integrating all environmental dimensions. The method of natural breaks was used to define the risk classes. A bivariate map of environmental and social vulnerability was described. RESULTS The first three components explained most of the variation in the data structure with an average of 78.2% of the total percentage of variance (PTV) explained by the GWPCA, with air pollution and soil sealing contributing most in the first component; green space in the second component; road and traffic density and SO2 in the third component. 56% of the population lives in areas with high or very high levels of environmental and climatic vulnerability, showing a periphery-centre trend, inverse to the deprivation index. CONCLUSIONS A new environmental and climatic vulnerability indicator for the city of Rome was able to identify the areas and population at risk in the city, and can be integrated with other vulnerability dimensions, such as social deprivation, providing the basis for risk stratification of the population and for the design of policies to address environmental, climatic and social injustice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Badaloni
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy.
| | - Manuela De Sario
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Caranci
- Regional Health and Social Care Agency, Emilia-Romagna Region, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca De' Donato
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marina Davoli
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Letizia Leccese
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Michelozzi
- Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
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The application of spatial analysis to understanding the association between area-level socio-economic factors and suicide: a systematic review. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2023:10.1007/s00127-023-02441-z. [PMID: 36805762 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-023-02441-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about what impact the use of different spatial methodological approaches may have on understanding the relationship between area-level socio-economic factors and suicide. METHODS In this systematic review, we searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and PsycInfo for original empirical studies examining the relationship between socio-economic factors and suicide with a spatial lens, published up to January 22, 2022. Data on applied spatial methods, indicators of socio-economic factors, and risk of suicide related to socio-economic factors were extracted. The protocol for this systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021251387). RESULTS A systematic search yielded 6290 potentially relevant results; 58 studies met the inclusion criteria for review. Of the 58 included studies, more than half of the studies (n = 34; 58.6%) used methods that accounted for spatial effects in analyses of the association between socio-economic factors and suicide or examined spatial autocorrelation, while 24 (41.4%) studies applied univariate and multivariate models without considering spatial effects. Bayesian hierarchical models and spatial regression models were commonly used approaches to correct for spatial effects. The risk of suicide relating to socio-economic factors varied greatly by local areas and between studies using various socio-economic indicators. Areas with higher deprivation, higher unemployment, lower income, and lower education level were more likely to have higher suicide risk. There was no significant difference in results between studies using conventional versus spatial statistic methods. CONCLUSION An increasing number of studies have applied spatial methods, including Bayesian spatial models and spatial regression models, to explore the relationship between area-level socio-economic factors and suicide. This review of spatial studies provided further evidence that area-level socio-economic factors are generally inversely associated with suicide risk, with or without accounting for spatial autocorrelation.
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Yeung CY, Men YV, Caine ED, Yip PSF. The differential impacts of social deprivation and social fragmentation on suicides: A lesson from Hong Kong. Soc Sci Med 2022; 315:115524. [PMID: 36413859 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Little research has conducted to examine the association between social deprivation and social fragmentation, overall and method-specific suicide risk, and how these associations may change over time. This study investigated the association between social deprivation and social fragmentation with overall and method-specific suicide in Hong Kong from 1999 to 2018. METHODS Suicide death data of each small tertiary planning unit (STPU) was obtained from the Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong. Socio-economic characteristics in STPU level were obtained from Census and Bi-census. Exploratory principal component analysis was used to construct the social deprivation (SDI) and social fragmentation indices (SFI) based on the socio-economic characteristics. Bayesian hierarchical modelling was conducted to explore the association between SDI and SFI with overall and method-specific suicide over time, controlling for population density and male-to-female ratio. RESULTS Higher risk of suicide was generally observed around Kowloon Peninsula and some parts in the Northern, Northwestern and Southwestern areas depending on methods. The effect of SDI and SFI on suicide risk varied by years and methods. In 2014-2018, for every 10% increase in SDI, the suicide risk for overall, jumping, hanging, and charcoal burning elevated by 22% (95%Crl = 10%-37%), 26% (95%Crl = 12%-41%), 31% (95%Crl = 14%-51%), and 21% (95%Crl = 4%-42%) respectively. CONCLUSION Spatial variations and effects of SDI and SFI on overall and method-specific suicide risks varied by different periods. SDI was observed to be a stronger factor in the recent years. Situations should be monitored, and interventions should be implemented and adjusted accordingly to the changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheuk Yui Yeung
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Yu Vera Men
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Eric D Caine
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden Blvd., Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Paul Siu Fai Yip
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China; Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research, 5 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Schober DJ, Benjamins MR, Saiyed NS, Silva A, Shrestha S. Suicide Rates and Differences in Rates Between Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White Populations in the 30 Largest US Cities, 2008-2017. Public Health Rep 2022; 137:921-928. [PMID: 34478341 PMCID: PMC9379849 DOI: 10.1177/00333549211041548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, and rates vary by race and ethnicity. An analysis of suicide across large US cities is absent from the literature. The objective of this study was to examine suicide rates among the total population, non-Hispanic Black population, and non-Hispanic White population in the United States and in the 30 largest US cities. METHODS We used data from the National Vital Statistics System to calculate non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and total age-adjusted suicide rates for the 30 largest US cities and for the entire nation during 2 periods: 2008-2012 and 2013-2017. We also examined absolute and relative differences in suicide rates among non-Hispanic White populations and non-Hispanic Black populations in each city. RESULTS The overall age-adjusted suicide rate per 100 000 population in the United States increased significantly from 12.3 in 2008-2012 to 13.5 in 2013-2017. Total suicide rates were stable in most cities; rates increased significantly in only 1 city (Louisville), and rates decreased significantly in 2 cities (Boston and Memphis). The non-Hispanic White suicide rate was significantly higher-1.3 to 4.3 times higher-than the non-Hispanic Black suicide rate in 24 of 26 study cities during 2013-2017. From 2008-2012 to 2013-2017, non-Hispanic White suicide rates decreased significantly in 3 cities and increased significantly in 3 cities; non-Hispanic Black suicide rates increased significantly in 5 cities and decreased in none. Absolute differences in suicide rates among non-Hispanic White populations and non-Hispanic Black populations increased significantly in 1 city (Louisville) and decreased significantly in 2 cities (Memphis and Boston). CONCLUSIONS Our study may inform the use of evidence-based programs and practices to address population-level risk factors for suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Schober
- 2453 Master of Public Health Program, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Abigail Silva
- 12248 Public Health Sciences, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Susana Shrestha
- 2453 Master of Public Health Program, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA
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11
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Yoshioka E, Hanley S, Sato Y, Saijo Y. Associations between social fragmentation, socioeconomic deprivation and suicide risk across 1887 municipalities in Japan, 2009-2017: a spatial analysis using the Bayesian hierarchical model. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e063255. [PMID: 36041759 PMCID: PMC9438050 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have indicated that spatial variation in suicide mortality is associated with area-specific socioeconomic characteristics, such as socioeconomic deprivation and social fragmentation. However, most of these studies have been conducted in the West and findings from Asian countries are limited. This study aims to investigate associations between socioeconomic characteristics and suicide mortality rates across 1887 municipalities in Japan between 2009 and 2017. We also assessed these associations by gender and age group. METHODS Suicide data were obtained from the suicide statistics of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan and included information on the number of suicides by gender, age and municipality location. Social fragmentation, socioeconomic deprivation and urbanicity were used as socioeconomic characteristics in this study and were created from survey data obtained from the 2010 census. Bayesian hierarchical models were used to examine associations between socioeconomic characteristics and suicide risk. RESULTS Suicide rates were significantly higher in municipalities with higher levels of deprivation, with a rate ratio of 1.13 (95% credible interval: 1.10 to 1.17) in the highest quartile compared with the lowest. Higher levels of urbanicity had significantly lower suicide rates, with a rate ratio of 0.79 (95% credible interval: 0.77 to 0.82) in the highest quartile compared with the lowest. However, associations between exposures and suicide varied considerably by gender and age. Among both men and women aged 0-39 years, fragmentation was significantly associated with suicide, with rate ratios of 1.07 and 1.15 for men and women, respectively, in the highest quartile compared with the lowest. CONCLUSION Suicide prevention in Japan should particularly focus on areas with high levels of deprivation or low levels of urbanicity. Furthermore, young Japanese people residing in the most fragmented municipalities were also at high risk of suicide, and appropriate measures need to be taken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Yoshioka
- Department of Social Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Sharon Hanley
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Sato
- Department of Social Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Saijo
- Department of Social Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
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12
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Khademi N, Zangeneh A, Ziapour A, Saeidi S, Teimouri R, Yenneti K, Moghadam S, Almasi A, Golanbari SZ. Exploring the epidemiology of suicide attempts: Risk modeling in Kermanshah-Iran. Front Public Health 2022; 10:924907. [PMID: 36081477 PMCID: PMC9445249 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.924907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Suicide attempt is a serious global public health issue. The patterns of suicide may vary depending on the individual characteristics, methods, causes, and the geographical area-also socio-cultural context that determine it. This study identifies the spatial patterns of suicide attempts in Kermanshah province, Iran. Method The sample size of this cross-sectional study is 18,331 people (7234 males and 11097 females) who attempted suicide in Kermanshah province between 2006 and 2014. Data was collected from the records of patients referred to the emergency department of hospitals in Kermanshah and analyzed using tests of Mean Center, Standard Distance, and Average Nearest Neighbor. Results The results of the mean center and standard distance tests show that drug overdose, poisoning with toxins and pesticides, and chemicals mostly were used in the central areas of Kermanshah province. The mean center of suicide attempts by self-immolation, hanging and firearms was in the western parts of the province, while the suicide attempts with narcotic drug were concentrated in the eastern regions of the province. Out of the 18,331 cases, 74% attempted suicide with drug overdose, 13% with toxins and pesticides, 0.59% with chemicals, 4% with fire, 1% by self-immolation, 1% by hanging, 0.16% with firearms and 0.7% with cold weapons. The spatial pattern of all suicide attempts in Kermanshah was clustered (Z-score < -2.58). Conclusion The results of this study show that the methods of suicide attempt vary with geographical areas in the province. Therefore, it is suggested that planning tailored to the geographical location can reduce suicide attempts in Kermanshah.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Khademi
- Department of Disease Prevention and Control, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Alireza Zangeneh
- Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran,*Correspondence: Alireza Zangeneh
| | - Arash Ziapour
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Shahram Saeidi
- Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Raziyeh Teimouri
- UniSA Creative, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Komali Yenneti
- School of Architecture and the Built Environment, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ali Almasi
- Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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13
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Abstract
Background: Suicide is an important public health concern worldwide. Among various factors, social capital has been suggested to be an effective factor to prevent and reduce suicide. Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between social capital and suicide rates in Seoul, South Korea, using panel data from 2005 to 2018 at the administrative-district level. Methods: Data for the current study were obtained from Seoul Statistics. The within estimator and the system generalized methods of moments estimator were used. Results: The results showed that there was an inverse association between community facility and suicide rates. This result remained the same even after considering the dynamic relationship between social capital and suicide rates (B = -0.57, 95% CI: -1.10, -0.04) while adjusting for dynamic panel bias. A 10% increase in community facility per 1,000 population was associated with 5.2% reduction in age-standardized suicide rates per 100,000 population. Limitations: In this study, only a structural dimension of social capital was utilized due to the lack of available data. Conclusion: The results indicate that facilitating opportunities for social interactions and community lives has a potential to prevent and reduce suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehee Han
- Institute of Social Sciences, Kookmin University, Seoul, South Korea
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14
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Precarious Suicide Behavior According to Housing Price Gap: A Case Study on South Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189877. [PMID: 34574800 PMCID: PMC8470716 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In 2018, the suicide rate in South Korea was the highest among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, and socioeconomic inequality has intensified. This study analyzes the impact relationship between suicidal impulses and economic inequality in South Korea. This study measures suicidal impulses thoughts National Health Survey Data and economic inequality based on the housing prices gap in the country. The primary analysis results were as follows: First, suicidal impulses were positively associated with the high index of housing price inequality; this correlation has become tight in recent years. Second, it was confirmed that the higher the income level, the higher the correlation between suicidal impulses with the index of housing price inequality. Third, the correlation between housing price inequality with suicidal impulse increased consistently in highly urbanized areas, but the statistical significance was low in non-urban areas.
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15
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Jiang B, Shen K, Sullivan WC, Yang Y, Liu X, Lu Y. A natural experiment reveals impacts of built environment on suicide rate: Developing an environmental theory of suicide. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 776:145750. [PMID: 33647665 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide is a global challenge. Although it is clear that socioeconomic and demographic factors influence suicide rates, we know little about the impacts of the built environment on suicide rates. METHODS We investigated the relationship between characteristics of the built environment and suicide death rates over a 13-year period in 151 rent-only public housing communities in Hong Kong. The regulations of the public housing authority in Hong Kong constituted a natural experiment with minimal self-selection bias. We conducted hierarchical regression analyses and found that characteristics of the built environment were significantly associated with suicide rates after controlling for SES and demographic factors at the community level. RESULTS Three significant environmental factors were identified distance to the nearest urban center, distance to the nearest Mass Transit Railway station, and gross flat area per person. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate a significant association between features of the built environment and suicide rates. They also suggest possible interventions that might reduce suicide through design, or redesign, of the built environment. Lastly, we propose an environmental theory of suicide based on the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Jiang
- Virtual Reality Lab of Urban Environments and Human Health, HKUrbanLabs, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Division of Landscape Architecture, Department of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Ke Shen
- Virtual Reality Lab of Urban Environments and Human Health, HKUrbanLabs, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Division of Landscape Architecture, Department of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - William C Sullivan
- Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
| | - Yiyang Yang
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Xueming Liu
- Virtual Reality Lab of Urban Environments and Human Health, HKUrbanLabs, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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16
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Lin CY, Hsu CY, Chen YY, Chang SS, Gunnell D. Method-Specific Suicide Rates and Accessibility of Means. CRISIS 2021; 43:375-384. [PMID: 34003021 PMCID: PMC9578364 DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abstract.Background: Few studies have investigated whether means accessibility is related to the spatial distribution of suicide. Aims: To examine the hypothesis that indicators of the accessibility to specific suicide methods were associated with method-specific suicide rates in Taipei City, Taiwan. Method: Smoothed standardized mortality ratios for method-specific suicide rates across 432 neighborhoods and their associations with means accessibility indicators were estimated using Bayesian hierarchical models. Results: The proportion of single-person households, indicating the ease of burning charcoal in the home, was associated with charcoal-burning suicide rates (adjusted rate ratio [aRR] = 1.13, 95% credible interval [CrI] = 1.03–1.25). The proportion of households living on the sixth floor or above, indicating easy access to high places, was associated with jumping suicide rates (aRR = 1.16, 95% CrI, 1.04–1.29). Neighborhoods’ adjacency to rivers, indicating easy access to water, showed no statistical evidence of an association with drowning suicide rates (aRR = 1.27, 95% CrI = 0.92–1.69). Hanging and overall suicide rates showed no associations with any of these three accessibility indicators. Limitations: This is an ecological study; associations between means accessibility and suicide cannot be directly inferred as causal. Conclusion: The findings have implications for identifying high-risk groups for charcoal-burning suicide (e.g., vulnerable individuals living alone) and preventing jumping suicides by increasing the safety of high buildings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yu Lin
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate School of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Chia-Yueh Hsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Yeh Chen
- Taipei City Psychiatric Centre, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Public Health and Department of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Sen Chang
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - David Gunnell
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, UK.,National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol, UK
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17
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Lersch KM. Exploring the geography of suicide threats and suicide attempts: An application of Risk Terrain Modeling. Soc Sci Med 2020; 249:112860. [PMID: 32106000 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.112860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this research is twofold: first, the spatial distribution of 911 emergency calls for service to the police for suicides in progress and threats of suicide in the City of Detroit, Michigan will be explored to determine whether these events exhibit different patterns of spatial clustering. Second, this research will explore the utility of Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM) to assist in our understanding of the locations of calls for service to the police related to suicide threats and suicides in progress. The results suggest that these events are different social phenomenon, both with respect to the spatial clustering of these events as well as qualitative differences in the environmental factors that may contribute to their occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim M Lersch
- School of Information, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CIS 1020 Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.
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18
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Guo Y, Chau PPH, Chang Q, Woo J, Wong M, Yip PSF. The geography of suicide in older adults in Hong Kong: An ecological study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2020; 35:99-112. [PMID: 31663178 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The geography of suicide has been widely explored among the general population. However, little is known of the geographic variations in suicides among the older adults and their spatial correlates. This study aims to explore the spatial variations in the elderly suicide rates and their correlates in Hong Kong. METHODS Bayesian hierarchical models have been used to estimate smoothed standardized mortality ratios (2006-2015) on suicide in people aged 65 years or older in each geographic unit in Hong Kong. Their associations with the Social Vulnerability Index and the accessibility of eight types of services (ie, recreational services, rehabilitation services, food services, daily necessity services, community services, and transportation services) were further analyzed. RESULTS The results suggested that compared with the simple "inner-city high suicide rate and suburban low" pattern in the Western studies and the "central low suicide rate and peripheral high" pattern in the Asian studies, the spatial variations of elderly suicides in Hong Kong exhibit a much more complicated pattern. In Hong Kong, higher elderly suicide clusters were found in both the lower-density areas located in the New Territories and in some inner-city areas. The spatial variations of suicide in the older adults cannot be explained by the Social Vulnerability Index. Instead, service provision such as recreational services, daily necessity resources, and community centers played a more significant role in affecting suicides in the older adults. CONCLUSIONS Strengthening public services, providing more public spaces and activities, and making good use of the community resources might be key and efficient strategies in elderly suicide prevention in Hong Kong. Key points The spatial variations of elderly suicides in Hong Kong show a much more complicated pattern compared with the simple "inner-city high suicide rate and suburban low" pattern in the Western countries and the "central low suicide rate and peripheral high" pattern in some of the Asian countries. In Hong Kong, suicide rates in the city centers were not higher than the average in the city. Clusters of higher suicide rates were mainly found in the New Territories, which is somewhat disconnected from the city and, in some inner-city neighborhoods, with high-density population. The spatial variations of suicide in the older adults in Hong Kong cannot be explained by the neighborhood Social Vulnerability Index as in the existing literature. Neighborhood service provision such as recreational services, daily necessity resources, and community centers played a significant role in affecting suicides in the older adults in Hong Kong.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqi Guo
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Patsy P H Chau
- School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Qingsong Chang
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,School of Sociology and Anthropology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jean Woo
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Moses Wong
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Paul S F Yip
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
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19
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Abstract
AIMS To investigate the spatial distribution of self-harm incidence rates, their socioeconomic correlates and sex/age differences using data on self-harm presentations to emergency departments from The Manchester Self-Harm Project (2003-2013). METHODS Smoothed standardised incidence ratios for index self-harm episodes (n = 14 771) and their associations with area-level socioeconomic factors across 258 small areas (median population size = 1470) in the City of Manchester municipality were estimated using Bayesian hierarchical models. RESULTS Higher numbers and rates of self-harm were found in the north, east and far southern zones of the city, in contrast to below average rates in the city centre and the inner city zone to the south of the centre. Males and females aged 10-24, 25-44 and 45-64 years showed similar geographical patterning of self-harm. In contrast, there was no clear pattern in the group aged 65 years and older. Fully adjusted analyses showed a positive association of self-harm rates with the percentage of the unemployed population, households privately renting, population with limiting long-term illness and lone-parent households, and a negative association with the percentage of ethnicity other than White British and travel distance to the nearest hospital emergency department. The area-level characteristics investigated explained a large proportion (four-fifths) of the variability in area self-harm rates. Most associations were restricted to those aged under 65 years and some associations (e.g. with unemployment) were present only in the youngest age group. CONCLUSIONS The findings have implications for allocating prevention and intervention resources targeted at high-risk groups in high incidence areas. Targets for area-based interventions might include tackling the causes and consequences of joblessness, better treatment of long-term illness and consideration of the accessibility of health services.
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Abstract
Although recent years have seen large decreases in the overall global rate of suicide fatalities, this trend is not reflected everywhere. Suicide and suicidal behaviour continue to present key challenges for public policy and health services, with increasing suicide deaths in some countries such as the USA. The development of suicide risk is complex, involving contributions from biological (including genetics), psychological (such as certain personality traits), clinical (such as comorbid psychiatric illness), social and environmental factors. The involvement of multiple risk factors in conveying risk of suicide means that determining an individual's risk of suicide is challenging. Improving risk assessment, for example, by using computer testing and genetic screening, is an area of ongoing research. Prevention is key to reduce the number of suicide deaths and prevention efforts include universal, selective and indicated interventions, although these interventions are often delivered in combination. These interventions, combined with psychological (such as cognitive behavioural therapy, caring contacts and safety planning) and pharmacological treatments (for example, clozapine and ketamine) along with coordinated social and public health initiatives, should continue to improve the management of individuals who are suicidal and decrease suicide-associated morbidity.
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21
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Liu L. China's dusty lung crisis: Rural-urban health inequity as social and spatial injustice. Soc Sci Med 2019; 233:218-228. [PMID: 31229908 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
This paper examines rural-urban inequities in dusty lung (pneumoconiosis) deaths in China from 2002 to 2016 and possible causes for such inequities in the framework of social and spatial justice. The research reveals alarming results that have not been reported before. Dusty lung death rates for rural men increased twice as fast as those among urban men. The rural rates were particularly higher among middle-aged men, but lower in older age groups, as compared to urban rates. There were dramatic increases in death rates from 2011 to 2016 particularly among rural men aged 40-49 years old, who were many times more likely to die from dusty lung than urban men of a similar age. Chinese rural male victims also die at a younger age, compared to men in any of the seven countries or regions included in the study. For example, rural Chinese men aged 35-59 years old were many times more likely to die from dusty lung than their American, German, Polish, and Spanish counterparts. A possible explanation for the high death rates among middle-aged rural Chinese men is the tendency for rural migrant workers to be employed in unhealthy and unsafe working conditions in decent decades. Other explanations for the severe spatial injustice include the Hukou (household registration) system and the development policies that prioritize economic growth and urban development over occupational health and safety. The paper demonstrates the usefulness and weakness of the social and spatial justice concepts in understanding health inequity. Therefore, it proposes new definitions and models of social justice and spatial justice that combine the competing distribution and capabilities approaches and highlight interactions among multiple attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Liu
- School of Geoscience, Physics, and Safety, College of Health, Science, and Technology, University of Central Missouri, Humphreys 225, Warrensburg, MO, 64093, USA.
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