scholarly journals Gun Violence Restraining Order Laws and Firearm Suicide among Older Adults: A Longitudinal State-Level Analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Altaf Saadi ◽  
Kristen R Choi ◽  
Sae Takada ◽  
Fred J. Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
State Level ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Gun Violence ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Gun Laws ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Background: Older adults commit suicide at a disproportionately higher rate compared to the general population, with firearms the most common means of suicide. State gun laws may be a policy remedy. Less is known about Gun Violence Restricting Order (GVRO) laws, which allow for removal of firearms from people deemed to be a danger to themselves or others, and their effects on suicide rates among older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of state firearm laws with the incidence of firearm, non-firearm-related, and total suicide among older adults, with a focus on GVRO laws. Methods: This is a longitudinal study of US states using data from 2012 to 2016. The outcome variables were firearm, non-firearm and total suicide rates among older adults. Predictor variables were (1) total number of gun laws to assess for impact of overall firearm legislation at the state level, and (2) GVRO laws. Results: The total number of firearm laws, as well as GVRO laws, were negatively associated with firearm-related suicide rate among older adults (p<0.001). There was a small but significant positive association of total number of firearm laws to non-firearm-related suicide rates and a negative association with total suicide rate. GVRO laws were not significantly associated with non-firearm-related suicide and were negatively associated with total suicide rate. Conclusion: Stricter firearm legislation, as well as GVRO laws, are protective against firearm-relate suicides among older adults.

Firearms and Suicide in Australia

1990 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 500-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher H. Cantor ◽  
Terry Lewin
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Regional Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cultural Attitudes ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Firearm Suicide ◽  
Proportional Increase ◽  
Using Data

Australia has a moderate overall suicide rate but an extremely high male firearm suicide rate. Using data covering the years 1961–1985, a series of multiple regression based analyses were performed. During this period, overall suicide rates fell but firearm suicides remained constant with a resulting increase in the proportion of suicides by firearms. There has been an increase in suicides in the young offset by a decline in the elderly. Young males showed the greatest proportional increase in the use of firearms. A limited regional analysis supported the hypothesis that lack of legislative restrictions on long guns in Queensland with a greater household prevalence of such weapons and different cultural attitudes were associated with higher overall and firearm suicide rates. Such findings are consistent with reports from North America, although trends in Australia are more modest. Reducing the availability and cultural acceptance of firearms is likely to decrease suicide rates, especially in males.

Association between air travel and importation of chikungunya into the USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahmina Nasserie ◽  
Shannon E Brent ◽  
Ashleigh R Tuite ◽  
Rahim Moineddin ◽  
Jean H E Yong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Binomial ◽  
State Level ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Air Travel ◽  
The State ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Epidemic Period ◽  
Imported Cases ◽  
The Usa

Abstract Background: During infectious disease outbreaks with pandemic potential, the number of air passengers travelling from the outbreak source to international destinations has been used as a proxy for disease importation risk to new locations. However, evaluations of the validity of this approach are limited. We sought to quantify the association between international air travel and disease importation using the 2014–2016 chikungunya outbreak in the Americas as a case study. Methods: We used country-level chikungunya case data to define a time period of epidemic activity for each of the 45 countries and territories in the Americas reporting outbreaks between 2014 and 2016. For each country, we identified airports within or proximate to areas considered suitable for chikungunya transmission and summed the number of commercial air passengers departing from these airports during the epidemic period to each US state. We used negative binomial models to quantify the association between the number of incoming air passengers from countries experiencing chikungunya epidemics and the annual rate of chikungunya importation into the USA at the state level. Results: We found a statistically significant positive association between passenger flows via airline travel from countries experiencing chikungunya epidemics and the number of imported cases in the USA at the state level (P < 0.0001). Additionally, we found that as the number of arriving airline passengers increased by 10%, the estimated number of imported cases increased by 5.2% (95% CI: 3.0–7.6). Conclusion: This validation study demonstrated that air travel was strongly associated with observed importation of chikungunya cases in the USA and can be a useful proxy for identifying areas at increased risk for disease importation. This approach may be useful for understanding exportation risk of other arboviruses.

The Association between Hearing Loss, Postural Control, and Mobility in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (06) ◽  
pp. 575-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maayan Agmon ◽  
Limor Lavie ◽  
Michail Doumas
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Risk Of Falls

Background: Degraded hearing in older adults has been associated with reduced postural control and higher risk of falls. Both hearing loss (HL) and falls have dramatic effects on older persons’ quality of life (QoL). A large body of research explored the comorbidity between the two domains. Purpose: The aim of the current review is to describe the comorbidity between HL and objective measures of postural control, to offer potential mechanisms underlying this relationship, and to discuss the clinical implications of this comorbidity. Data Collection and Analysis: PubMed and Google Scholar were systematically searched for articles published in English up until October 15, 2015, using combinations of the following strings and search words: for hearing: Hearing loss, “Hearing loss,” hearing, presbycusis; for postural control: postural control, gait, postural balance, fall, walking; and for age: elderly, older adults. Results: Of 211 screened articles, 7 were included in the systematic review. A significant, positive association between HL and several objective measures of postural control was found in all seven studies, even after controlling for major covariates. Severity of hearing impairment was connected to higher prevalence of difficulties in walking and falls. Physiological, cognitive, and behavioral processes that may influence auditory system and postural control were suggested as potential explanations for the association between HL and postural control. Conclusions: There is evidence for the independent relationship between HL and objective measures of postural control in the elderly. However, a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying this relationship is yet to be elucidated. Concurrent diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of these two modalities may reduce falls and increase QoL in older adults.

Money and happiness: does age make a difference?

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1289-1306 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHANG-MING HSIEH
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Social Surveys ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTAlthough the factors that influence people's perception of happiness have long been a focus for scholars, research to date has not offered conclusive findings on the relationships between income, age and happiness. This study examined the relationship between money and happiness across age groups. Analysing data from United States General Social Surveys from 1972 to 2006, this study finds that even after controlling for all the major socio-demographic variables, income (whether household income or personal equivalised income) had a significant positive association with happiness for young and middle-age adults, but it was not the same case with older adults. After controlling for the major socio-demographic variables, there was no evidence of a significant relationship between income (whichever definition) and happiness for older adults. The results also showed that the effect of household income on happiness was significantly smaller for older adults than for young or middle-age adults in the model controlling for major socio-demographic variables. The relationship between household income and happiness no longer differed significantly across age groups after social comparison variables were included. The relationship between equivalised income and happiness did not vary significantly by age group after controlling for the major socio-demographic variables.

Homicide-Suicide Rates and Homicide Rates

1997 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-178
Author(s):  
David Lester
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Homicide Rate ◽  
Homicide Rates ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Suicide Rates

In 27 studies on murder-suicide, the homicide rate was negatively associated with the percentage of murder-suicides, and the murder-suicide rate showed less variation than the homicide rate.

scholarly journals The Association Between New COVID-19 Cases and Google Searches for Mental Health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Tennant ◽  
Jennifer Gonzalez ◽  
Melissa Rowan ◽  
Catie Hilbelink ◽  
Quianta Moore
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
State Level ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Policy Suggestions ◽  
Societal Changes ◽  
Level Model ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Google Search

Mental health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic and societal changes are an important matter of public health. We examined the state-level association between new cases of COVID-19 reported and mental health, as measured through Google search trends, on a daily basis. Our analyses indicate a significant positive association, such that increases in mental health Google searches should be expected on days when relatively more new cases of COVID-19 are announced. The overall effect and state-level variation were analyzed via a multi-level model and full results are included here. Implications and public policy suggestions are discussed.

scholarly journals The Association Between New COVID-19 Cases and Google Searches for Mental Health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Tennant ◽  
Jennifer Gonzalez ◽  
Melissa Rowan ◽  
Catie Hilbelink ◽  
Quianta Moore
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
State Level ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Policy Suggestions ◽  
Societal Changes ◽  
Level Model ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Google Search

Mental health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic and societal changes are an important matter of public health. We examined the state-level association between new cases of COVID-19 reported and mental health, as measured through Google search trends, on a daily basis. Our analyses indicate a significant positive association, such that increases in mental health Google searches should be expected on days when relatively more new cases of COVID-19 are announced. The overall effect and state-level variation were analyzed via a multi-level model and full results are included here. Implications and public policy suggestions are discussed.

scholarly journals Social Networks, Support, and Depressive Symptoms: Gender Differences among Clergy

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 237802311987382
Author(s):  
Jennifer Lutz ◽  
David E. Eagle
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Perceived Social Isolation

This study extends social-psychological research on social networks and mental health by examining cross-gender differences in social integration and depression among United Methodist clergy in North Carolina. Using data from the fifth wave of the Clergy Health Initiative panel survey, we used cross-group models to examine the association of depressive symptoms and network in-degree, out-degree, and perceived social isolation among men (N = 1,145) and women (N = 535) clergy. The analysis reveals gendered differences in this association. Specifically, out-degree bore a significant negative relationship with depressive symptoms for men but not women. Feeling socially isolated had a significant positive association with depression in both men and women.

Relationships between Beer, Wine, and Spirits Consumption and Suicide Rates in U.S. States from 1977 to 1988

1996 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiepu Liu ◽  
John W. Waterbor ◽  
Seng-Jaw Soong
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Total Alcohol

Relationships between alcohol consumption and suicide rates were examined through an ecological study. Data on total apparent per capita alcohol consumption, as well as beer, wine, and spirits consumption, from 1977 to 1988 in each of the fifty U.S. states and District of Columbia were compared with suicide rates. It was found that total alcohol consumption was weakly but significantly related to suicide rate by univariate analysis ( r = 0.16, p < 0.01). Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.30, 0.12, and −0.01 for correlation of suicide rate with beer, wine, and spirits consumption, respectively. Over the twelve years, the magnitude of associations between total alcohol consumption and suicide varied with correlation coefficients of 0.29, 0.23, 0.09, and 0.11 for four three-year periods, 1977–79, 1980–82, 1983–85, and 1986–88, respectively. The association between beer consumption and suicide persisted over the whole period with correlation coefficients of 0.35, 0.31, 0.26, and 0.30, while that between wine and suicide did not. Associations were also examined by quartile of each alcohol's consumption. Significant inverse association was found for beer as well as total consumptions at the lowest quartile. However, at the highest quartile, beer and spirits consumption showed positive association with suicide. These data suggest a “U-shaped” curve relating suicide rate to alcohol consumption. By using 1980 census data with adjustment for confounding effects of socioeconomic factors, total alcoholconsumption was found to be positively associated with suicide especially at high consumption level. At low level consumption, beer showed an inverse association with suicide after controlling for confounding effects.

scholarly journals Two-year longitudinal health-related fitness, anthropometry and body composition status amongst adolescents in Tlokwe Municipality: The PAHL Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwatoyi O. Toriola ◽  
Makama A. Monyeki ◽  
Abel L. Toriola
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Endurance Running ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Related Fitness

Aim: To evaluate a two-year longitudinal development of health-related fitness, anthropometry and body composition status amongst adolescents in Tlokwe Municipality, Potchefstroom, South Africa.Setting: A total of 283 high-school learners (111 boys and 172 girls) of ages 14 and 15 years who were part of the ongoing Physical Activity and Health Longitudinal Study (PAHLS) participated in the study. For the purpose of the present study, data collected for 2011 and 2012 for anthropometric, body composition and health-related physical fitness were used.Results: Body mass index (BMI) classification of boys and girls for 2011 and 2012 showed that 24.3% of them were underweight compared with 21% in 2012. In 2011, 50% of boys and girls had normal bodyweight compared with 52% in 2012, whilst 25.5% of the total group of participants were overweight compared with 27% in 2012. Both boys and girls showed significant increases of 5.9% in body fat (BF) and 3.2 kg in body weight over two years’ measurements, respectively. Regarding health-related fitness (i.e BAH), boys showed an increase of 14.8 seconds whilst girls gained 9.6 seconds. Significant decreases were found for sit-ups in both boys and girls. A significant VO2max increase of 2.9 mL/kg/min. was found in boys over the time period. A non-significant decrease of -0.5 mL/kg/min. was observed in girls. Regression coefficients showed that changes in BMI were inversely associated with those in health-related physical fitness. The changes in percentage BF were negatively associated with standing broad jump (SBJ), bent arm hang (BAH) and VO2 max in both boys and girls. A low significant positive association was found between changes in waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and SBJ in both genders, whilst inverse low associations were found between WHtR and BAH in girls and for VO2max in both genders.Conclusion: Changes in BMI, %BF and WHtR were negatively associated with strength and running performances in the participating children. The relative increase in overweight, especially in girls, negatively affected their endurance running and static strength performances. The health implications of the observed findings are discussed and recommendations offered for physical activity intervention in school physical education (PE) programmes.

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