Socio-economic inequalities in suicide: a European comparative study.
BACKGROUND
Social factors have been shown to be predictors of suicide. It is not known whether these factors vary between countries.


OBJECTIVE
To present a first European overview of socio-economic inequalities in suicide mortality among men and women.


METHODS
We used a prospective follow-up of censuses matched with vital statistics in ten European populations. Directly standardised rates of suicide were computed for each country.


RESULTS
In men, a low level of educational attainment was a risk factor for suicide in eight out of ten countries. Suicide inequalities were smaller and less consistent in women. In most countries, the greater the socio-economic disadvantage, the higher is the risk of suicide. The population of Turin evidenced no socio-economic inequalities.


CONCLUSIONS
Socio-economic inequalities in suicide are a generalised phenomenon in western Europe, but the pattern and magnitude of these inequalities vary between countries. These inequalities call for improved access to psychiatric care for lower socio-economic groups.
Health Sociology and Economics, Catholic University of Louvain, Clos chapelle aux champs 30.41, 1200 Bruxelles, Belgium. lorant@sesa.ucl.ac.be
Vincent
V
Lorant
Anton E
AE
Kunst
Martijn
M
Huisman
Giuseppe
G
Costa
Johan
J
Mackenbach
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004522:Educational Status; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*