Suicide in Portugal: Spatial determinants in a context of economic crisis.
This study compares the existing statistical association between suicide mortality and the characteristics of places of residence (municipalities), before and during the current economic crisis, in Portugal. We found that (1) the traditional culture-based North/South pattern of suicidal behaviour has faded away, while the socioeconomic urban/rural divide has become more pronounced; (2) suicide is associated with higher levels of rurality and material deprivation; and (3) recent shifts in suicidal trends may result from the current period of crisis. Strategies targeting rural areas combined with public policies that address area deprivation may have important implications for tackling suicide.
Centre of Studies on Geography and Spatial Planning, Department of Geography, University of Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: paulasantana.coimbra@gmail.com.
Paula
P
Santana
Centre of Studies on Geography and Spatial Planning, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
Cláudia
C
Costa
Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC) and Department of Mental Health, NOVA Medical School, New University of Lisbon, Portugal.
Graça
G
Cardoso
Centre of Studies on Geography and Spatial Planning, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
Adriana
A
Loureiro
Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon, Portugal.
João
J
Ferrão
D001499:Bayes Theorem; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011174:Portugal; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000639:trends*
Economic crisis; Material deprivation; Rurality; Spatial determinants; Suicide