title: A comparison of suicide rates between older adults in Ireland and the UK: 1975-2005.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent years suicide among older adults has been increasing internationally. The suicide rate among older adults in Ireland is no exception.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the current study was to report the rate of suicide among older adults in Ireland and to compare these rates to those of the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Suicide rates from 1975-2005 for older adults in both Ireland and the UK were obtained and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suicide rates among older adults in Ireland are increasing, while for that same period suicide rates among older adults in the UK are decreasing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased consumption of alcohol in Ireland compared to the UK as well as a higher prevalence of depression among older people in Ireland may account for the observed difference. Findings have implications for suicide prevention in Ireland.
authors.affiliation: Newcastle Hospital, Greystones, Co.Wicklow, Ireland. Lorna_power@hotmail.com
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Power
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brophy
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
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