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Citation
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Sabic H, Kious B, Boxer D, Fitzgerald C, Riley C, Scholl L, McGlade E, Yurgelun-Todd D, Renshaw PF, Kondo DG. High Alt. Med. Biol. 2019; 20(2): 171-177. |
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Abstract
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Aims:
Suicide rates in the general population in the United States are correlated with altitude. To explore factors contributing to suicide among military veterans, we examined the relationship between veteran state-level suicide rates and altitude for 2014, including firearm-related and nonfirearm-related rates.
Methods:
Pearson's coefficients were calculated for altitude and each outcome. Mixed linear models were used to determine the association between suicide and altitude while adjusting for demographic confounds.
Results:
State mean altitude was significantly correlated with total veteran suicide rate (r = 0.678, p < 0.0001), veteran firearm-related suicide rate (r = 0.578, p < 0.0001), and veteran nonfirearm suicide rate (r = 0.609, p < 0.0001). In mixed models, altitude was significantly correlated with total veteran suicide rate (β = 0.331, p < 0.05), veteran firearm suicides (β = 0.282, p < 0.05), and veteran nonfirearm suicides (β = 0.393, p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
This study adds to evidence linking altitude and suicide rates, arguing for additional research into the relationship between altitude and suicide among veterans.
Language: en |