The Impact of Natural Disasters on Suicide in the United States, 2003-2015.

Background: Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and severity and impacted populations develop mental health conditions at higher rates than those not impacted. Aims: In this study, we investigate the association between exposure to a major natural disaster and suicide in the US. Method: Using county-level data on disaster declarations, mortality files, and population data, suicide rates were estimated for three 12-month periods before and after the disaster. Pooled rates were estimated predisaster and compared with postdisaster suicide rates using Poisson-generated Z tests and 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 281 major disasters were included. The suicide rate increased for each type of disaster and across all disasters in the first 2 years of follow-up. The largest overall increases in suicide rates were seen 2 years postdisaster. Limitations: Limitations include the ecologic study design, county-level exposure, and low power. Conclusion: Increases in county-level suicide rates after disasters were not statistically significant, although there was evidence that increases were delayed until 2 years postdisaster. Additional studies are needed to improve understanding of nonfatal suicide attempts after disasters and the role elevated social support plays in suicide prevention postdisaster. Future studies should consider pre-existing mental health, secondary stressors, and proximity to hazards.

Comparative analysis of death by suicide in Brazil and in the United States: descriptive, cross-sectional time series study.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE:: The World Health Organization recognizes suicide as a public health priority. Increased knowledge of suicide risk factors is needed in order to be able to adopt effective prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the association between the Gini coefficient (which is used to measure inequality) and suicide death rates over a 14-year period (2000-2013) in Brazil and in the United States (US). The hypothesis put forward was that reduction of income inequality is accompanied by reduction of suicide rates. DESIGN AND SETTING:: Descriptive cross-sectional time-series study in Brazil and in the US. METHODS:: Population, death and suicide death data were extracted from the DATASUS database in Brazil and from the National Center for Health Statistics in the US. Gini coefficient data were obtained from the World Development Indicators. Time series analysis was performed on Brazilian and American official data regarding the number of deaths caused by suicide between 2000 and 2013 and the Gini coefficients of the two countries. The suicide trends were examined and compared. RESULTS:: Brazil and the US present converging Gini coefficients, mainly due to reduction of inequality in Brazil over the last decade. However, suicide rates are not converging as hypothesized, but are in fact rising in both countries. CONCLUSION:: The hypothesis that reduction of income inequality is accompanied by reduction of suicide rates was not verified.

Comparative analysis of death by suicide in Brazil and in the United States: descriptive, cross-sectional time series study / Análise comparativa de morte por suicídio no Brasil e nos Estados Unidos: estudo transversal temporal descritivo

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The World Health Organization recognizes suicide as a public health priority. Increased knowledge of suicide risk factors is needed in order to be able to adopt effective prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the association between the Gini coefficient (which is used to measure inequality) and suicide death rates over a 14-year period (2000-2013) in Brazil and in the United States (US). The hypothesis put forward was that reduction of income inequality is accompanied by reduction of suicide rates. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive cross-sectional time-series study in Brazil and in the US. METHODS: Population, death and suicide death data were extracted from the DATASUS database in Brazil and from the National Center for Health Statistics in the US. Gini coefficient data were obtained from the World Development Indicators. Time series analysis was performed on Brazilian and American official data regarding the number of deaths caused by suicide between 2000 and 2013 and the Gini coefficients of the two countries. The suicide trends were examined and compared. RESULTS: Brazil and the US present converging Gini coefficients, mainly due to reduction of inequality in Brazil over the last decade. However, suicide rates are not converging as hypothesized, but are in fact rising in both countries. CONCLUSION: The hypothesis that reduction of income inequality is accompanied by reduction of suicide rates was not verified.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A Organização Mundial da Saúde reconhece o suicídio como uma prioridade de saúde pública. Aumentar o conhecimento dos fatores de risco de suicídio é necessário para se poder adotar estratégias eficazes de prevenção. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar e comparar a associação do coeficiente de Gini, usado para medir a desigualdade, com as taxas de mortalidade por suicídio em um período de 14 anos (2000-2013) no Brasil e nos Estados Unidos (EUA). Aventou-se a hipótese de que a redução da desigualdade de renda é acompanhada da redução das taxas de suicídio. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal temporal descritivo realizado no Brasil e nos EUA. MÉTODOS: Dados populacionais, de óbitos e mortes por suicídio foram extraídos do banco de dados do DATASUS, no Brasil, e do Centro Nacional para Estatísticas de Saúde dos EUA. Dados do índice de Gini foram obtidos dos Indicadores de Desenvolvimento Mundial. Foi realizada análise de séries temporais de dados oficiais do Brasil e dos EUA sobre o número de mortes por suicídio, de 2000 a 2013, e do coeficiente de Gini. As tendências de morte por suicídio foram analisadas e comparadas. RESULTADOS: Brasil e EUA apresentaram convergência no coeficiente de Gini devida principalmente à redução da desigualdade no Brasil na última década. No entanto, as taxas de suicídio não estão convergindo como foi conjeturado; em verdade, elas estão crescendo em ambos os países. CONCLUSÕES: A hipótese de que a redução da desigualdade de renda é acompanhada da redução das taxas de suicídio não foi verificada.