Association of Suicide Rates of Elderly Persons with Fertility Rates

2008 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajit Shah
Keyword(s):  
Social Integration ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Fertility Rates ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Proxy Measure ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Using Data

A negative correlation between societal suicide rates and social integration has been reported, but rarely specifically examined for suicide rates of the elderly although suicide rates of elderly persons are among the highest. The associations of suicide rates of elderly persons and fertility rates for 81 countries were examined using data from the World Health Organisation and United Nations. Fertility rates were considered a proxy measure for social integration. Multiple regression analysis indicated that suicide rates for males and females in the age bands 65–74 years and 75+ years were independently (negative) correlated with fertility rates. Fertility rates, as a measure of social integration, may interact with, modify and mediate the effect of cultural factors on suicide rates of elderly persons.

Association of General Population Suicide Rates with Fertility Rates: A Test of Fertility as a Measure of Social Integration

2008 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 812-818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritesh Bhandarkar ◽  
Ajit Shah
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
World Health ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Fertility Rates ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The Family ◽  
Proxy Measure ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Health Organization

A negative correlation between societal suicide rates and social integration has been reported using data within individual countries; however, this has rarely been examined cross-nationally. The relation of general population suicide rates with fertility rates across 75 countries was examined for data from the World Health Organization and the United Nations. Social integration has been defined as the extent to which members of society are bound together in social relationships, and higher fertility rates, reflecting greater vigour and unity of the family, serve as a proxy measure of social integration. Multiple regression analysis indicated that general population suicide rates in males and females were independently correlated with fertility rates. The relation of general population suicide rates with fertility rates was also curvilinear (U-shaped curve). Explanation of the observed curvilinear relationship requires further study.

Possible Relation of Suicide Rates of Elderly with Societal Crime: A Cross-National Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajit Shah
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
National Study ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Elderly Age ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Cross National Study ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Cross National

There are few studies examining the relationship between elderly suicides and societal crime. Therefore, a cross-national study examining the relationship between suicide rates of elderly persons and the percentage of the population victimised by different categories of crime was undertaken by using cross-national data from the World Health Organisation and United Nations databases. The main finding was a negative correlation between suicide rates in elderly men age 75+ years and women in both the elderly age-bands with the percentage of the population victimised by the crime of robbery. The findings were at variance with the study's hypothesis and may be explained by several factors, including methodological issues. Individual-level case-control or cohort studies of suicides and attempted suicides by elderly persons are suggested to examine the relationship of suicides by elderly and experience of being victimised by crime.

A Nonlinear Association of Fertility and Suicide Rates among Elderly Persons

2008 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 943-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajit Shah
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
World Health ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Fertility Rates ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Negative Linear Correlation ◽  
The World ◽  
Curvilinear Relation ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Data Banks

A negative linear correlation for crude suicide rates of elderly persons with fertility rates was reported earlier but may mask a curvilinear relation. A re-analysis of those data from 81 countries as reported in the World Health Organization and United Nations data banks yielded a curvilinear (U-shaped curve) relation. Explanations require further study.

Elderly suicide rates: cross-national comparisons and association with sex and elderly age-bands

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajit Shah ◽  
Ravi Bhat ◽  
Sheena McKenzie ◽  
Chris Koen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
World Health ◽  
Elderly Age ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
National Differences ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Elderly Suicide ◽  
Cross National

Suicide rates generally increase with age. Examination of cross-national variations in elderly suicide rates may allow the generation of aetiological hypotheses. Suicide rates for males and females in the age-bands 65-74 years and 75+ years were ascertained from the World Health Organisation website for all the listed countries. Cross-national variations were examined by segregating different countries into four quartiles of elderly suicide rates. Suicide rates between males and females and between the two age-bands were compared across different countries. The main findings were: (i) there is wide cross-national variation in elderly suicide rates; (ii) elderly suicide rates were the lowest in Caribbean, central American and Arabic countries, and the highest in central and eastern European, some oriental and some west European countries; (iii) suicide rates were higher in men compared to women for both the age-bands; and, (iv) suicide rates were higher in the age-band 75+ years compared to the age-band 65-74 years for males and females. Potential explanations for regional and cross-national variations in elderly suicide rates include cross-national differences in genetic and environmental factors, prevalence of mental illness in the elderly, life expectancy, socio-economic deprivation, social fragmentation, cultural factors, the availability of appropriate healthcare services, and public health initiatives to improve the detection and treatment of mental illness, mental health and suicide prevention.

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.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Angolan Adults: A Descriptive Analysis from CardioBengo, a Community-Based Survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
João M. Pedro ◽  
Miguel Brito ◽  
Henrique Barros
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Risk Prediction ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Using Data

From a community-based survey conducted in Angola, 468 individuals aged 40 to 64 years and not using drug therapy were evaluated according to the World Health Organisation STEPwise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance. Using data from tobacco use, blood pressure, blood glucose, and total cholesterol levels, we estimated the 10-year risk of a fatal or nonfatal major cardiovascular event and computed the proportion of untreated participants eligible for pharmacological treatment according to clinical values alone and total cardiovascular risk. The large majority of participants were classified as having a low (<10%) 10-year cardiovascular risk (87.6%), with only 4.5% having a high (≥ 20%) cardiovascular risk. If we consider the single criteria for hypertension, 48.7% of the population should be considered for treatment. This value decreases to 22.0% if we apply the risk prediction chart. The use of hypoglycaemic drugs does not present any differences (19.0% in both situations). The use of lipid-lowering drugs (3.8%) is only recommended by the risk prediction chart. This study reveals the need of integrated approaches for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders in this population. Risk prediction charts can be used as a way to promote a better use of limited resources.

scholarly journals Trends in mortality from ill-defined causes among the elderly in Brazil, 1979-2013: ecological study

2016 ◽  
Vol 134 (5) ◽  
pp. 437-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davi Félix Martins Junior ◽  
Ridalva Dias Martins Felzemburg ◽  
Acácia Batista Dias ◽  
Tania Maria Costa ◽  
Pedro Nascimento Prates Santos
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Study ◽  
Temporal Trend ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Simple Linear Regression ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Proportional Mortality ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Health Situation

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Mortality measurements are traditionally used as health indicators and are useful in describing a population's health situation through reporting injuries that lead to death. The aim here was to analyze the temporal trend of proportional mortality from ill-defined causes (IDCs) among the elderly in Brazil from 1979 to 2013. DESIGN AND SETTING: Ecological study using data from the Mortality Information System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. METHODS: The proportional mortality from IDCs among the elderly was calculated for each year of the study series (1979 to 2013) in Brazil, and the data were disaggregated according to sex and to the five geographical regions and states. To analyze time trends, simple linear regression coefficients were calculated. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 2,646,194 deaths from IDCs among the elderly, with a decreasing trend (ß -0.545; confidence interval, CI: -0.616 to -0.475; P < 0.000) for both males and females. This reduction was also observed in the macroregions and states, except for Amapá. The states in the northeastern region reported an average reduction of 80%. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality from IDCs among the elderly has decreased continuously since 1985, but at different rates among the different regions and states. Actions aimed at improving data records on death certificates need to be strengthened in order to continue the trend observed.

COVID-19: Avoiding a second tragedy in a tuberculosis burdened country

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siddharth Raj Yadav ◽  
Rohit Kumar ◽  
Nitesh Gupta ◽  
Pranav Ish ◽  
Shibdas Chakrabarti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
World Health ◽  
Special Population ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
The World

To the EditorNovel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first notified in December 2019 from Wuhan, China. Now, it has spread rapidly and has been declared a pandemic affecting over 200 countries with widespread morbidity and mortality. It has been postulated that the most vulnerable population are the elderly, people living in crowded areas, children and immune-compromised individuals, such as people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The correlation of tuberculosis (TB), HIV and malnutrition are well documented and hence, people with tuberculosis should be considered as special population in this pandemic. TB is an ancient disease among humans recorded as far back as seventy thousand years which was declared a global public health emergency in 1993 by the World Health Organisation (WHO). India has the highest TB burden in the world.

Prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in subgroups of elderly persons with anemia: association with anemia of inflammation

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 117 (10) ◽  
pp. 2800-2806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd S. Perlstein ◽  
Reena Pande ◽  
Nancy Berliner ◽  
Gary J. Vanasse
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Anemia Of Inflammation

AbstractAnemia and vitamin D deficiency are conditions that both result in significant morbidity and increase with age. The potential relationship between them remains poorly understood, particularly in the elderly. We used the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine the association of vitamin D deficiency with anemia subtypes in persons aged ≥ 60 years. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum levels < 20 ng/mL, and anemia was defined according to World Health Organization criteria. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with anemia prevalence independent of age, sex, or race/ethnicity (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.05; P = .02) and varied significantly by anemia subtype (P overall = .003). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 33.3% in the nonanemic population, 56% in anemia of inflammation (AI; P = .008), and 33.0% in unexplained anemia (P = .55). Non-Hispanic blacks had a 7-fold increased risk of AI compared with whites, and this was partially attenuated after adjusting for vitamin D deficiency. These data show that vitamin D deficiency is associated with specific subtypes of anemia in the elderly, especially in those with AI. Vitamin D may suppress inflammatory pathways, and studies to determine whether vitamin D supplementation ameliorates AI are warranted.

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