Violent Mortality Research Articles

DETERMINATION OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A LETHAL BULLET INJURY TO THE HEAD DUE TO A PROJECTILE RICOCHET TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE ANALYSIS OF MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EXPERIMENTALLY FIRED BULLETS

Gunshot wounds always occupy one of the leading places in the structure of violent mortality, however, there is not enough information in the specialised literature that highlights the distinct individual characteristics of projectiles (bullets) that were removed from a biological object and became the instrument of death, and when they ricochet (collide with an obstacle) after a series of experimental shots. Aim: To determine the possibility of causing a fatal bullet injury to the head after the ricochet of a projectile from the road surface, taking into account the analysis of the morphological characteristics of experimentally fired bullets. Material and methods. The archival material of the SSI "Main Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine" ("Expert conclusion") was used. The objects of the study were: bones of the skull of the victim gr. K, gunshot wounds on the head (entrance, exit hole, wound channel), as well as bullets up to 9 mm cartridges of the "Makarov" pistol, namely 1) one bullet removed from the cranial cavity after an autopsy and 2) 6 bullets removed after an experimental series of shots into the road surface. Their characteristics were studied using standard methods generally accepted in forensic medicine and standard methods of variational statistics. Results. During arrest by a law enforcement officer, the man received a fatal gunshot wound to the head with a 9 mm bullet. There was an entrance hole in the occipital bone, a wound channel in the cranial cavity at an angle of approximately 130° to the midline of the body, and a depressed fracture of the frontal bone. A series of experimental shots with 9mm bullets revealed the remains (fragments) of the asphalt coating and their marked deformation, which was not the case with the bullet that caused the fatal wound. Ballistic analysis showed that the angle of movement of the bullet in the cranial cavity was 30°. Conclusion. According to the circumstances contained in the criminal case materials and established during the forensic examination, the bullet wound could not have been caused by the ricochet of the bullet from the asphalt pavement, since no remains (fragments) of the obstacle with which the bullet collided were found, and its deformation does not correspond to the results of the forensic shooting and ballistic examination.

Speculating about genocide: The Queensland frontier 1859–1897

AbstractIn the colonisation of Queensland, Australia it is commonly accepted that large numbers of Indigenous people were killed in the second half of the nineteenth century. Calculations of violent mortality have recently been revised radically upwards. We suggest that the methodology deployed in these new studies is unreliable, reflecting errors in counting and calculation, as well as underestimating the selection bias of the samples. We caution against projecting aggregate violent mortality where the underlying data are so imperfect and emphasise the value of more detailed local and regional studies to inform better understanding of colonisation's impact on First Peoples.

Анализ изменений структуры насильственной смерти детей и подростков в Саратовской области за период 2018–2022 гг.

Abstract. The analysis of violent child mortality is important in developing preventive measures to reduce this indicator. Aims and Tasks. The research purpose is to analyze the structure of violent death among children in the Saratov Region in 2018–2022. Materials and Methods. The research materials include the results of forensic medical examinations of the corpses of 314 children under the age of 18 who died from external causes. Results/Discussion. We establish decrease in the rate of violent death among children from 17.7 to 12.2 per 100 thousand of the population. There is a prevalence of blunt trauma (35.7 %), asphyxia (34.7 %) and poisoning (22 %) in violent death causes among children. The dynamics showed a tendency towards an increase in the proportion of blunt trauma. We note the peak of deaths from asphyxia in 2020 (45.8 %), reveal an increase in the proportion of hangings. Asphyxia is the leading cause of death in children under 1 year old, asphyxia and blunt trauma with a high percentage of falls from high altitude (40 %) – in the 1–3 year old group. In the 4–6 years old group the main types of death are blunt trauma (38.6 %) and poisoning (36.4 %). In the 7–11 years old group asphyxia is in the lead (40.4 %), followed by blunt trauma (36.5 %) with a high percentage of traffic accidents. In 12–17 years old group blunt trauma is in the first place (38.5 %), asphyxia with a predominance of hangings is in the second place. Conclusions. As we note a decrease in the violent death of children in general, we establish a tendency of increasing the proportion of blunt trauma and a change in the structure of asphyxia with a significant increase in the proportion of hangings. Differences in the structure of causes of death in different age groups were revealed.

The epidemiological and medico-legal characteristics of violent deaths and spousal homicides through a population of women autopsied within the Forensic Medicine Department of the University Hospital of Annaba

BackgroundDomestic violence is a real public health problem with considerable consequences, ranging from minor injuries to death. Our study aims to determine the epidemiological and forensic characteristics relating to the violent mortality of women, and more particularly spousal homicide.MethodsTo do this, a double survey was conducted. The first step was descriptive and retrospective, and the second survey was analytical and prospective. This latter step covered the most populous age group of murdered women in Algeria, which is eighteen-year-old and over, and subjected a number of these female victims to a medico-judicial autopsy at the level of the thanatology unit for over four years counting two years for each survey (2017–2018 and 2019–2020). Data were entered and processed using Epi-info6 software.ResultsDuring the initial period of our study, we identified 35 cases of violent deaths involving women and representing a frequency of 5.71% of the thanatological activity.During the second period, 12 spousal homicides were recorded and autopsied, representing a frequency of 1.79% of all forensic deaths in the corresponding study period.The average age of the victims was evaluated at 33 ± 12.91 years, with extremes of 19 to 56 years. The age of the perpetrators of spousal homicide was evaluated at 42 ± 10.76 years with extremes ranging from 30 to 60 years.For victims of violent death and spousal homicide, inactivity was a strongly implicated risk factor, with respective frequencies of (88.57%) and (58.33%). Two-thirds of the persecuted women were completely unknown to the healthcare environment and had never consulted a medical professional. This parameter could be one of the predictive signs of spousal homicide.The marital home was the preferred location for violent deaths and spousal homicides. These crimes occurred variably during the period of marriage and eventually after divorce.As for the modus operandi, the perpetrators use many sharp and spinous weapons, including firearms and blunt objects.ConclusionAutopsy and medico-legal investigations took a decisive interest in the identification of the causes of spousal homicide; indeed, many serious traumatic lesions incompatible with life have been highlighted. We underline the crucial role that healthcare professionals must play in the process of identifying and evaluating potentially risky situations.

Is It Costly to Transition from Fossil Fuel Energy: A Trade-Off Analysis

This study aims to evaluate the trade-off between using cheaper and contaminated energy versus cleaner and more expensive energy and ultimately assess their combined effect on social externalities. We estimate the impact of air pollution and income level—mechanisms of energy consumption—on violent crimes and mortality rates. We propose an integrated causal analysis to address an endogeneity concern caused by the energy selection process by employing a difference-in-differences method (DiD) for the mechanism approach using policy changes. We explore the energy variations in neighboring counties caused by the implementation of green act policies to measure violent crimes and mortality rates using air pollution and income as the mechanisms. The results reveal that reducing fossil fuel by one terawatt hour can save 23 lives. Further, lowering nonrenewable energy use reduces 53 rapes yearly by lowering the maximum temperature, whereas decreasing fossil fuel does not negatively impact production and income. Thus, replacing fossil fuel energy with nuclear power is the most effective approach to reduce environmental and social damages caused by energy use.

The Epidemiology of Violent Deaths in Chile between 2001 and 2018: Prevalence, Trends, and Correlates.

Background: Despite its enormous health and social burden, there are limited published studies describing the epidemiology of violent deaths in Chile. We described violent mortality rate trends in Chile between 2001 and 2018, its current spatial distribution and ecological level correlates. Methods: A population-based study using publicly accessible data. We calculated age-adjusted mortality rates per 100,000 persons for sex, age, intention, and mechanism of death. Next, we used linear regression to estimate time trends for sex and intention. We then employed hierarchical Poisson analyses to model the spatial distribution across 345 municipalities and the influence of six ecological level variables. Results: The average rate of violent death in Chile between 2001 and 2018 was 15.9 per 100,000 people, with the majority (70.3%) of these attributed to suicide. Suffocation was the most common mechanism of death for suicide (82.3%) and cut/pierce for homicide (43.1%), followed by firearm (33.2%). Violent deaths are trending downward in Chile across all categories except suicides by women, which have remained stable. Poverty rates and urban population were positively associated with violent mortality rates. Conclusions: Although violence-related deaths seem to be decreasing, disparities across gender, age group, and geographic location may have continuing effects on mortality rates.

Myths of Drug Consumption Decriminalization: Effects of Portuguese Decriminalization on Violent and Drug Use Mortality

Myths of Drug Consumption Decriminalization: Effects of Portuguese Decriminalization on Violent and Drug Use Mortality

Abstract 11417: Association Between Community-Level Violent Crime and Cardiovascular Mortality in Chicago - A Longitudinal Analysis

Introduction: Prior studies suggest an association between neighborhood crime levels and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and disease but have been limited by cross-sectional designs. We investigated whether longitudinal changes in violent crime are associated with CV mortality at the community level in a large US city - Chicago. Methods: Chicago is divided into 77 community areas. Using the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records, we obtained age-adjusted mortality rates by community area for heart disease, stroke, and coronary artery disease deaths from 2000-2014 aggregated at 5-year intervals. Annual violent crime data were obtained from the City of Chicago Police Data Portal and were geocoded to the community area level. Violent crime was defined as assault, battery, criminal sexual assault, robbery, and homicide. Using a two-way fixed effects estimator, a robust longitudinal estimation method that accounts for measured or unmeasured time-invariant confounders, we assessed the association between longitudinal changes in violent crime and CV mortality after accounting for changes in demographic (proportion of racial/ethnic minorities) and economic (household income, unemployment, housing vacancy, education attainment) variables for each community area. Results: Between 2000 and 2014, the median violent crime rate in Chicago decreased from 3620 per 100,000 [IQR 2256, 7777] in the 2000-2004 period to 2390 [IQR 1507, 5745] in the 2010-2014 period (p=0.005 for trend). In the fixed effects model, after accounting for changes in demographic and economic variables, a 1% increase in community-area violent crime was independently associated with a 0.21% (95% CI 0.09, 0.33) increase in heart disease deaths (p=0.0006) and a 0.19% (95% CI 0.04, 0.33) increase in deaths from coronary artery disease (p=0.01). There was no significant association between change in violent crime and stroke deaths [0.17% (95% CI -0.08, 0.42; p=0.017)]. Conclusions: From 2000 to 2014, an increase in violent crime at the community level was associated with an increase in heart disease and coronary artery disease deaths in Chicago. Detecting rises in community-level violent crime may identify areas with worsening CV health independent of other factors.

Racial Democracy and Black Victimization in Brazil

The main objective of this study is to quantify racial victimization differential between Blacks and Whites in Brazil, focusing on homicides and physical assaults. Combining socioeconomic data from the Brazilian Household Survey with data from the Mortality Information System, we apply the Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition to isolate the racial discrimination component from the social indicators correlated with homicides and physical assaults. Findings indicate that only part of the victimization differential between Blacks and Whites is explained by structural attributes. A significant portion of this differential (at least 40%) for both homicides and physical assaults persists as evidence of racial discrimination. In addition, both for homicides and physical assaults, a more discriminatory scenario is observed in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, regions historically characterized by higher social inequalities and violent mortality.

Explaining spatial patterns of lung cancer mortality in Russia

ABSTRACT Socialization theory assumes that socialization agents, such as family, school, and church, inculcate human values and behaviors. The current study proposes that socialization has affected social acceptability of tobacco use. The analysis identifies socio-demographic risk factors, as measured in two postwar Soviet censuses, for age-adjusted lung cancer mortality in Russia in 2014−2018, using findings from the micro-level. Based on the 1959 and 1970 National Census results, three pairs of principal components were extracted corresponding to three socialization agents. A general-to-specific strategy was used to specify a spatial model and resulted in a spatial autoregressive model with autoregressive disturbances. Four spatial models show consistently that the strength of informal institutions in the postwar societies (i.e. at the socialization stage) was spatially related to a lower age-adjusted lung cancer mortality in men and women. Also, urban style of living and low education in the postwar societies were spatially related to an elevated age-adjusted lung cancer mortality in men. It is concluded that socialization theory can explain spatial variation in age-adjusted lung cancer mortality. The observed latitudinal spatial clustering of age-adjusted lung cancer mortality in the European part of the country remains consistent with the previous research on the spatial variation in violent mortality and suicide mortality.

Violent Youth Mortality (15-24) in 21st Century- Suicides, Assaults, Transport Deaths in USA and other Western Countries.

Introduction: Adolescence is characterized by impetuosity, which can lead to fatalities- suicide, assault, and transport deaths, the key being access to lethal means. This population- based study examines violent deaths in the 21st Century by comparing America with nineteen Other Western Countries’ (OWC). Method: All mortality data is drawn from WHO latest report, comparing bases- line years 2000-02 to index years 2013-15 for Youth (15-24years) of both sexes. Changes in Youth rates per million (pm) of these three types of violent deaths are calculated and for Total mortality the Age-Standardized-Deaths-Rates (ASDR). Chi square test are used to compare each OWC with the USA outcomes. Based upon the world- small- arms survey national gun ownership per thousand persons (ptp) are examined and rank order correlations used to determine any possible association. Results: Over the period USA Suicide rates increased for Youth by 16%, the average in OWC was a 22% fall. American Youth Assault rate was almost double the Total ASDR (99pm to 55pm respectively) and Youth and ASDR rates were more than fight times the OWC average. USA Youth Transport deaths at 158pm were double the average of other countries. USA gun ownership far exceeded OWC, correlating with Youth suicide. Conclusions: USA Youth Violent death rates are worse compared with most OWCs, especially increased suicide, which correlated with gun ownership. Youth Assaults and Suicide this century numbered 142,784 or 8,924pa. There is a specific need for specific public health focus on American Youth violent deaths which are even higher than recent US military losses.

Reduction of Violent Mortality in Order to Ensure National Security and Achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Ukraine

The aim of the article was to analyze violent mortality in Ukraine for some causes (level and structure), track its changes in the dynamics of 1991-2020 and reflect activities to reduce its level in the tasks to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: Ukraine to highlight the importance of the problem for national security of the country. Scientific novelty. The importance of combating violence as an urgent task for public administration at the national, regional and local levels, aimed at ensuring public and personal safety and reducing the loss of human life as a result of violent deaths, is substantiated. The importance of the problem for Ukraine was illustrated through the representation of tasks related to the prevention of deaths from violence in the national strategy for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The analysis of violent mortality in the dynamics since Ukraine's independence according to the official data of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine of the WHO European Regional Database (European mortality database) revealed such features as significant differentiation by sex and higher than in the EU-15 probability of death over 65 years. Ukraine also differs from the excessively high level of losses classified as harm with uncertain intent. Despite the positive dynamics (decreasing of mortality rates due to suicides, homicides and intentional injuries) since 1991, the predominance of indicators compared to the EU-15 has increased. The hypothesis of probable changes under the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic is substantiated. Conclusion. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the process of reducing violence and related threats to life, health and well-being of citizens will be facilitated by the consistent adoption and implementation by Ukraine of measures at the international, national and local levels aimed at political, social and economic determinants. Key words: violent mortality, suicide and self-inflicted injury, homicide and assault, Sustainable Development Goals, national security management.

The character of conflict: A bioarchaeological study of violence in the Nasca highlands of Peru during the Late Intermediate Period (950-1450 C.E.).

This study uses osteological and radiocarbon datasets combined with formal quantitative analyses to test hypotheses concerning the character of conflict in the Nasca highlands during the Late Intermediate Period (LIP, 950-1450 C.E.). We develop and test osteological expectations regarding what patterns should be observed if violence was characterized by intragroup violence, ritual conflict, intermittent raiding, or internecine warfare. Crania (n = 267) were examined for antemortem and perimortem, overkill, and critical trauma. All age groups and both sexes are represented in the sample. One hundred twenty-four crania were AMS dated, allowing a detailed analysis of diachronic patterns in violence among various demographic groups. Thirty-eight percent (102/267) of crania exhibit some form of cranial trauma, a significant increase from the preceding Middle Horizon era. There are distinct trauma frequencies within the three subphases of the LIP, but Phase III (1300-1450 C.E.) exhibits the highest frequencies of all trauma types. Males exhibit significantly more antemortem trauma than females, but both exhibit similar perimortem trauma rates. There was chronic, internecine warfare throughout the Late Intermediate Period with important variations in violence throughout the three temporal phases. Evidence for heterogeneity in violent mortality shows a pattern consistent with social substitutability, whereby any and all members of the Nasca highland population were appropriate targets for lethal and sublethal violence. We argue that by testing hypotheses regarding the targets and types of conflict we are better able to explain the causes and consequences of human conflict.

EXTREME TEMPERATURE AND EXTREME VIOLENCE: EVIDENCE FROM RUSSIA

We study the relationship between extreme temperatures and violent mortality, employing novel regional panel data from Russia. We find that extremely hot temperatures increase violent mortality, while extremely cold temperatures have no effect. The impact of hot temperature on violence is unequal across gender and age groups, rises noticeably during weekends, and leads to considerable social costs. Our findings also suggest that better job opportunities and lower vodka consumption may decrease this impact. The results underscore that economic policies need to target vulnerable population groups to mitigate the adverse impact of extreme temperatures. (JEL Q54, I14, K42)

POLICIES AND PREVENTION OF U.S. WOMEN’S VIOLENT DEATH ACROSS AGES

U.S. violent death rates (homicide and suicide) are the highest in the developed world. Of all female murders (femicide), the majority are male perpetrated, intimate partner violence (IPV- 55-63%). Men are more often killed and by other male acquaintances, with only 2.8% IPV. Proportionally, older women (50+) have the top homicide victim rate (26%) among women. The baby boom cohort has been suicidal and aging has exacerbated the problem. Women are less likely to kill themselves, and the methods differ. We ask are mid and later life women’s lethal victimization similar to younger women? What are policy implications for prevention? Our research uses national level data from news surveillance of 728 intimate partner homicide suicide (IPHS) events and the State Firearm Law Database (SFLD) to improve our understanding of violent cause mortality by sex, age, method and location. IPHS patterns show 90% of events used firearm and 90% were male perpetrated. Results of multivariate analyses show young women had greater awareness and fear before IPHS. Evidence finds older men sometimes decided to kill their IP as part of their own suicide, without a history of known domestic violence. Older women have disproportionately low use of shelters, police and protective orders. SFLD shows population adjusted states with more DV firearms laws have significantly fewer IPHS events. Firearm culture has restricted research, blocked law enforcement and has done little to reduce gun access in households with vulnerable populations (e.g., suicidal husbands). Lethality Assessment Protocols could be modified for elder women’s unique situation.

Effectiveness of Alcohol Tax Policy Intervention for Reducing Violent Mortality Rates in Russia

Effectiveness of Alcohol Tax Policy Intervention for Reducing Violent Mortality Rates in Russia

Comparing the Patterns and Trends of Homicide Mortality in Mexico and Colombia from 2000 to 2015 (Differences and Similarities)

Background: Violence is a public health problem worldwide that affects many countries. Colombia has long had an armed conflict, and Mexico, in recent years, has presented a critical situation associated with drug trafficking. Objective: Analyze and compare patterns and trends of mortality between Colombia and Mexico, 2000-2015. Methods: Comparative longitudinal study that used data provided by the national entities of both countries. Analyze the causes related to violent mortality. A comparative analysis was made by country, year, age groups, causes and sex. Multivariate analysis was done, with the country as a dependent variable adjusted by sex, age groups and causes. Findings: There were 576,994 homicides: 55.6% in Colombia: The main causes of death were firearms (Colombia 82% and Mexico 62%); strangulation was major in Mexico (7.5%) compared to Colombia (1.5%). In 2000, the risk of violent mortality was six times higher in Colombia; in 2015, it was reduced to 1.5 times. In Mexico, between 2006 and 2011 there was an increase of up to 150% in mortality due to this cause. The most affected were men, in productive age, by firearms and by sharp weapons. Conclusions and policy implications: The increase in violent mortality in Mexico has been related to the fight against different forms of drug trafficking and groups outside the law; in this country, homicides suggest more suffering. In Colombia, it seems that measures such as the restriction on the carrying of weapons, state security policies since 2002 generated declines in violent mortality. Both countries need to professionalize their police forces even more, they must work to diminish the circles of impunity, corruption, weaknesses of the justice system, lack of authority, and strengthen the presence of the state in the regions.

ALCOHOL RELATED PROBLEMS IN RUSSIA AND BELARUS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TRENDS

Goal: in present article comparative analysis of trends in alcohol-related problems rates (violent mortality, fatal alcohol poisonings, alcoholic psychoses), alcohol sales per capita, socioeconomic parameters in Russia and Belarus in soviet (1970-1991) and post-soviet (1992-2015) periods were analyzed.
 Materials and methods. As indicators of alcohol problems were used the mortality rate from external causes, the mortality rate from acute alcohol poisoning and the incidence of alcoholic psychoses. As an integral indicator characterizing the health status of the population was used the indicator of life expectancy at birth.
 Results: the results of correlation analysis suggest that alcohol sales is a statistically significant associated with alcohol-related problems rates in both countries during the Soviet period. However, there was no relationship between this variables during the post-Soviet period. The outcomes of this study indicate that psychosocial distress and macroeconomy were important determinants of fluctuations in alcohol-related problems rates in both countries. In the context of alcohol policy this mean that decrease in economic and physical availability of alcohol should be considered as a main priority.

Fatal Alcohol Poisonings and Traffic Accidents in Russia

IntroductionRoad traffic injuries are the eight leading cause of death globally, and the leading cause of death for children and young adults [1,2]. According to prognosis, the worldwide road traffic injuries rank among the causes of death will climb to the fifth place by 2030, resulting in an estimated 2.4 million fatalities each year [2]. It is estimated that in the European Union 1.3 million road traffic accidents occur each year, resulting in 1.7 million injuries and over 40 000 deaths annually [3]. The direct and indirect costs of these accidents sums up to 160 billion euro, equal to 2% of the gross national product of the EU [2].Alcohol has been identified as one of the most significant risk factors for road traffic crashes in many developed and developing countries of the world [4]. At the individual level, there is dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and fatal road traffic accidents, with risk of death increas-. ing non-linearly with increasing alcohol consumption [3]. Zador estimated that each 0.02 increase in a driver's BAC nearly doubled the risk of fatal crash [5]. It has been also estimated that the likelihood of being a fatally injured driver was at least 9 times greater at BACs of 0.05 to 0.09% than at zero BAC [4].Several studies report the positive association between alcohol consumption and traffic fatalities at the aggregate level. Skog evaluated the effects of changes in aggregate alcohol consumption on fatal motor vehicle traffic accidents in 14 western European countries after 1950 [6]. For male traffic accidents, significant relationships were uncovered in central and southern Europe, but not in northern Europe. Among females the effect was significant only in central Europe [6]. A more recent time series analysis based on Belarusian data for the period from 1970 to 1999 reported a close link between vodka sales per capita and road traffic fatality rates [7].Russia has one of the world's highest road traffic fatality rates due to drunk driving, poor road conditions, an outdated vehicle fleet [8,9]. Each year, approximately 30 000 Russians die in road accidents - about the same as in the European Union [2]. Road safety has attracted attention at the top levels of Russian politics, receiving mention in Putin's 2006 Annual Address to the Federal Assembly and serves as the centerpiece of a national speech by Medvedev in August 2009 [9].There is common believe that high level of alcohol consumption in conjunction with binge drinking pattern is a major determinant of high violent mortality rates in Russia [7,10-12]. Over the past 10 years, almost 40 000 Russians have died in road accidents caused by drunk drivers [9]. A large retrospective case-control study in three Russian industrial cities found dose-response association between alcohol consumption and mortality from road accidents: drinking of three or more bottles of vodka per week was strongly associated with deaths from road accidents both among men (RR= 4.20; CI: 3.31-5.34) and women (RR= 4.48; CI: 3.385.96) [13]. Although drunk driving officially accounts for 7,2% of all road traffic crashes at the national level, its proportion increases to one-fifth in some federal regions [9]. Furthermore, the most recent individual-level estimates suggest that 46.1% of all deaths from road accidents (47.7% and 41.0% of deaths among men and women respectively) were attributable to alcohol consumption [14].In line with this evidence we assume that a combination of higher level of alcohol consumption per capita and binge drinking of vodka results in a close association between alcohol and mortality from road accidents in Russia. To test this hypothesis trends in mortality from road accidents and fatal alcohol poisoning rates from 1970 to 2013 in Russia were analyzed employing time-series analysis.Material and methodsDataThe data on sex-specific road traffic fatality and fatal alcohol poisoning rates per 1 000 000 of the population were taken from the Russian vital statistics registration system. …

The impact of ambient air pollution on suicide mortality: a case-crossover study in Guangzhou, China.

BackgroundPreventing suicide is a global imperative. Although the effects of social and individual risk factors of suicide have been widely investigated, evidence of environmental effects of exposure to air pollution is scarce. We investigated the effects of ambient air pollution on suicide mortality in Guangzhou, China during 2003−2012.MethodsA conditional logistic regression analysis with a time-stratified case-crossover design was performed to assess the effects of daily exposure to three standard air pollutants, including particulate matter less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), on suicide mortality, after adjusting for the confounding effects of daily mean temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure and sunshine duration. Further analyses were stratified by season, gender, age group, educational attainment and suicide type.ResultsBetween 2003 and 2012, there were a total of 1 550 registered suicide deaths in Guangzhou. A significant increase in suicide risk were associated with interquartile-range increases in the concentration of air pollutant, with an odds ratio of 1.13 (95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.27) and 1.15 (95 % CI: 1.03, 1.28) for PM10 and NO2 at lag 02, and 1.12 (95 % CI: 1.02, 1.23) for SO2 at lag 01, respectively. The suicide risks related to air pollution for males and people with high education level were higher than for females and those with low education level, respectively. Significant air pollution effects were found on violent suicide mortality and in cool season but not on non-violent suicide mortality or in warm season.ConclusionsSuicide risk was positively associated with ambient air pollution levels. This finding would provide important information for the health impact assessment of air pollution and for the development of effective strategies and interventions for the prevention of suicide.