Elderly suicide rates: cross-national comparisons and association with sex and elderly age-bands.
Suicide rates generally increase with age. Examination of cross-national variations in elderly suicide rates may allow the generation of aetiological hypotheses. Suicide rates for males and females in the age-bands 65-74 years and 75+ years were ascertained from the World Health Organisation website for all the listed countries. Cross-national variations were examined by segregating different countries into four quartiles of elderly suicide rates. Suicide rates between males and females and between the two age-bands were compared across different countries. The main findings were: (i) there is wide cross-national variation in elderly suicide rates; (ii) elderly suicide rates were the lowest in Caribbean, central American and Arabic countries, and the highest in central and eastern European, some oriental and some west European countries; (iii) suicide rates were higher in men compared to women for both the age-bands; and, (iv) suicide rates were higher in the age-band 75+ years compared to the age-band 65-74 years for males and females. Potential explanations for regional and cross-national variations in elderly suicide rates include cross-national differences in genetic and environmental factors, prevalence of mental illness in the elderly, life expectancy, socio-economic deprivation, social fragmentation, cultural factors, the availability of appropriate healthcare services, and public health initiatives to improve the detection and treatment of mental illness, mental health and suicide prevention.
Shah
Ajit
A
West London Mental Health NHS Trust and Imperial College School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom. ajit.shah@wlmht.nhs.uk
Bhat
Ravi
R
McKenzie
Sheena
S
Koen
Chris
C
D000368:Aged; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D013405:Suicide / Q000639:trends*