Demographic factors Epidemiology of suicide

1 demographic factors

1.1 gender , suicide
1.2 race , suicide
1.3 sexual orientation , suicide
1.4 social factors , suicide
1.5 health , suicide
1.6 seasonal suicide
1.7 suicide trends
1.8 suicide , body mass index
1.9 historical trends

demographic factors
gender , suicide

in united states, males 4 times more die suicide females, although more women men report suicide attempts. male suicide rates higher females in age groups (the ratio varies 3:1 10:1). in other western countries, males more die suicide females (usually factor of 3–4:1). 8th leading cause of death males, , 19th leading cause of death females. excess male mortality suicide evident data non-western countries.

race , suicide

in 2003, in united states, whites , asians 2.5 times more kill blacks or hispanics. there marked divergence age seen in chart below. in eastern portion of world (primarily in asian or pacific-island countries) numbers of reported suicides growing every year.

united states suicide rates white men, health service area, 1988–1992. map , map below use same color scale: note large difference in rates between men , women. regional patterns men , women similar, not same.



united states suicide rates white women, health service area, 1988–1992.


sexual orientation , suicide

the likelihood of suicide attempts increased in both gay males , lesbians, bisexuals of both sexes when compared heterosexual counterparts. trend of having higher incident rate among females no exception lesbians or bisexual females , when compared homosexual males, lesbians more attempt gay or bisexual males.

studies vary how increased risk compared heterosexuals low of 0.8-1.1 times more females , 1.5-2.5 times more males. highs reach 4.6 more in females , 14.6 more in males.

race , age play factor in increased risk. highest ratios males attributed caucasians when in youth. age of 25, risk down less half of black gay males risk steadily increases 8.6 times more likely. through lifetime risks 5.7 white , 12.8 black gay , bisexual males.

lesbian , bisexual females have opposite effects less attempts in youth when compared heterosexual females. through lifetime likelihood attempt triple youth 1.1 ratio caucasian females, black females rate affected little (less 0.1 0.3 difference) heterosexual black females having higher risk throughout of age-based study.

gay , lesbian youth attempt suicide disproportionately subject anti-gay attitudes, , have weaker skills coping discrimination, isolation, , loneliness, , more experience family rejection not attempt suicide. study found gay , bisexual youth attempted suicide had more feminine gender roles, adopted lgb identity @ young age , more peers report sexual abuse, drug abuse, , arrests misconduct.

one study found same-sex sexual behavior, not homosexual attraction or homosexual identity, predictive of suicide among norwegian adolescents. in denmark, age-adjusted suicide mortality risk men in registered domestic partnerships 8 times greater men positive histories of heterosexual marriage , twice high men had never married.

a study of suicide, undertaken in sweden, involved analysis of data records 6,456 same-sex married couples , 1,181,723 man-women marriages. sweden s tolerant attitude regarding homosexuality, determined same-sex married men suicide risk 3 times higher different-sex married men, after adjustment hiv status. women, shown there tentatively elevated suicide risk same-sex married women on of different-sex married women.

social factors , suicide

higher levels of social , national cohesion reduce suicide rates. suicide levels highest among retired, unemployed, impoverished, divorced, childless, urbanites, empty nesters, , other people live alone. suicide rates rise during times of economic uncertainty. (although poverty not direct cause, can contribute risk of suicide).

epidemiological studies show relationship between suicide or suicidal behaviors , socio-economic disadvantage, including limited educational achievement, homelessness, unemployment, economic dependence, , contact police or justice system. war traditionally believed associated fall in suicide rates; however, has been questioned in recent studies, showing more complex picture conceived.

a 2015 uk study office national statistics, commissioned public health england, considered 18,998 deaths of people aged between 20 , 64, found men working in construction industry , women employed in culture, media , sport, healthcare , primary school teaching @ highest risk of suicide.

health , suicide

depression, either unipolar or part of bipolar disorder, common cause. substance abuse, severe physical disease or infirmity recognized causes.

an unknown number of suicidal fatalities falsely presumed consequences of severe illnesses, infectious, malignant, mental et cetera.

suicides month , day of week united states, 1999–2004. data cdc.


seasonal suicide

the idea suicide more common during winter holidays (including christmas in northern hemisphere) myth, reinforced media coverage associating suicide holiday season. national center health statistics found suicides drop during winter months, , peak during spring , summer. considering there correlation between winter season , rates of depression, there theories might accounted capability commit suicide , relative cheerfulness. suicide has been linked other seasonal factors.

the variation in suicides day of week greater seasonal variation.

suicide trends

certain time trends can related type of death. in united kingdom, example, steady rise in suicides 1945 1962-63 extent curtailed following removal of carbon monoxide domestic gas supplies occurred change coal gas natural gas during sixties. methods vary across cultures, , easy availability of lethal agents , materials plays role.

it estimated global annual suicide fatalities rise 1.5 million 2020. worldwide, suicide ranks among 3 leading causes of death among aged 15–44 years. suicide attempts 20 times more frequent completed suicides.

suicide , body mass index

risk of suicide decreases increased body mass index in united states.

risk of suicide may decrease increased weight , low in obese persons. connection not understood, hypothesized elevated body weight results in higher circulating levels of tryptophan, serotonin, , leptin, in turn reduces impulsivity.

however, other studies indicate suicide rates increase extreme obesity, , difficult control conflating factors such bmi-related differences in longevity, have significant bearing on suicide rates.

historical trends

historical data show lower suicide rates during periods of war.