Citation

Shah A, Bhat R, Mackenzie S, Koen C. Journal of Chinese Clinical Medicine 2009; 4(11): 636-640.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Socio-economic factors may differentially influence suicide rates in different age and sex groups.

METHODS: The relationship between the male to female sex ratios of suicide rates in the age-bands 65 - 74 years and 75 + years and socio-economic factors was examined in a cross-national study using data from the World Health Organisation and the United Nations.

RESULTS: The main findings were: (i) there was a significant positive correlation between the male to female sex ratio of suicide rates in the age-band 65 - 74 years and the Gini coefficient (and almost significant in the age-band 75 + years); and, (ii) there were significant positive correlations between the male to female sex ratio of suicide rates in the age-band 75 + years and per capita GDP, proportion of GDP spent on health and per capita expenditure on health.

CONCLUSION: Potential explanations for these findings and the interaction of life expectancy and socio-economic factors with other factors that differentially influence suicide rates in different age and sex groups requires further examination.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; female; male; aged; Suicides; Elderly; mortality; life expectancy; Cross-national; article; sex ratio; socioeconomics; health care cost; world health organization; United Nations; Suicide rates