scholarly journals Social distancing in 1918 did not predict suicide rates in 43 large cities: A replication and rebuttal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hampton Gray Gaddy
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Control Variable ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sociodemographic Variables ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The Social

Stack and Rockett (2021) have recently suggested that the social distancing requirements introduced in the United States during the main waves of the 1918–20 influenza pandemic caused a measurable increase in suicide rates. However, their model only included one reasonable control variable: an estimate of the mortality from the pandemic itself. Controlling for either the baseline suicide rate in 1917 or three sociodemographic variables associated with contemporary suicide rates reveals that the authors’ finding is spurious.

scholarly journals Social Capital Dimensions are Differentially Associated with COVID-19 Vaccinations, Masks, and Physical Distancing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibtihal Ferwana ◽  
Lav R. Varshney
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Collective Efficacy ◽  
Residential Mobility ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Social ◽  
Family Unity

Background Social capital has been associated with health outcomes in communities and can explain variations in different geographic localities. Social capital has also been associated with behaviors that promote better health and reduce the impacts of diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing, face masking, and vaccination have all been essential in controlling contagion. These behaviors have not been uniformly adopted by communities in the United States. Using different facets of social capital to explain the differences in public behaviors among communities during pandemics is lacking. Objective This study examines the relationship among public health behavior, vaccination, face masking, and physical distancing during COVID-19 pandemic and social capital indices in counties in the United States. Methods We used publicly available vaccination data as of June 2021, face masking data in July 2020, and mobility data from mobile phones movements from the end of March 2020. Then, correlation analysis was conducted with county-level social capital index and its subindices (family unity, community health, institutional health, and collective efficacy) that were obtained from the Social Capital Project by the United States Senate. Results We found the social capital index and its subindices differentially correlate with different public health behaviors. Vaccination is associated with institutional health: positively with fully vaccinated population and negatively with vaccination hesitancy. Also, wearing masks negatively associates with community health, whereases reduced mobility associates with better community health. Further, residential mobility positively associates with family unity. By comparing correlation coefficients, we find that social capital and its subindices have largest effect sizes on vaccination and residential mobility. Conclusion Our results show that different facets of social capital are significantly associated with adoption of protective behaviors, e.g., social distancing, face masking, and vaccination. As such, our results suggest that differential facets of social capital imply a Swiss cheese model of pandemic control planning where, e.g., institutional health and community health, provide partially overlapping behavioral benefits.

scholarly journals Social capital dimensions are differentially associated with COVID-19 vaccinations, masks, and physical distancing

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260818
Author(s):  
Ibtihal Ferwana ◽  
Lav R. Varshney
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Collective Efficacy ◽  
Residential Mobility ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Social ◽  
Family Unity

Background Social capital has been associated with health outcomes in communities and can explain variations in different geographic localities. Social capital has also been associated with behaviors that promote better health and reduce the impacts of diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing, face masking, and vaccination have all been essential in controlling contagion. These behaviors have not been uniformly adopted by communities in the United States. Using different facets of social capital to explain the differences in public behaviors among communities during pandemics is lacking. Objective This study examines the relationship among public health behavior—vaccination, face masking, and physical distancing—during COVID-19 pandemic and social capital indices in counties in the United States. Methods We used publicly available vaccination data as of June 2021, face masking data in July 2020, and mobility data from mobile phones movements from the end of March 2020. Then, correlation analysis was conducted with county-level social capital index and its subindices (family unity, community health, institutional health, and collective efficacy) that were obtained from the Social Capital Project by the United States Senate. Results We found the social capital index and its subindices differentially correlate with different public health behaviors. Vaccination is associated with institutional health: positively with fully vaccinated population and negatively with vaccination hesitancy. Also, wearing masks negatively associates with community health, whereases reduced mobility associates with better community health. Further, residential mobility positively associates with family unity. By comparing correlation coefficients, we find that social capital and its subindices have largest effect sizes on vaccination and residential mobility. Conclusion Our results show that different facets of social capital are significantly associated with adoption of protective behaviors, e.g., social distancing, face masking, and vaccination. As such, our results suggest that differential facets of social capital imply a Swiss cheese model of pandemic control planning where, e.g., institutional health and community health, provide partially overlapping behavioral benefits.

scholarly journals Forecasting the Spread of COVID-19 under Different Reopening Strategies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Liu ◽  
Raphael Thomadsen ◽  
Song Yao
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Population Density ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sir Model ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Mobility Data ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Us ◽  
Case Data

ABSTRACTWe combine COVID-19 case data with demographic and mobility data to estimate a modified susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) model for the spread of this disease in the United States. We find that the incidence of infectious COVID-19 individuals has a concave effect on contagion, as would be expected if people have inter-related social networks. We also demonstrate that social distancing and population density have large effects on the rate of contagion. The social distancing in late March and April substantially reduced the number of COVID-19 cases. However, the concave contagion pattern means that when social distancing measures are lifted, the growth rate is considerable but will not be exponential as predicted by standard SIR models. Furthermore, counties with the lowest population density could likely avoid high levels of contagion even with no social distancing. We forecast rates of new cases for COVID-19 under different social distancing norms and find that if social distancing is eliminated there will be a massive increase in the cases of COVID-19, about double what would occur if the US only restored to 50% of the way to normalcy.

Suicide Rates and Differences in Rates Between Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White Populations in the 30 Largest US Cities, 2008-2017

2021 ◽  
pp. 003335492110415
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Schober ◽  
Maureen R. Benjamins ◽  
Nazia S. Saiyed ◽  
Abigail Silva ◽  
Susana Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Population Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Black Populations ◽  
Us Cities ◽  
Hispanic White

Objectives Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, and rates vary by race and ethnicity. An analysis of suicide across large US cities is absent from the literature. The objective of this study was to examine suicide rates among the total population, non-Hispanic Black population, and non-Hispanic White population in the United States and in the 30 largest US cities. Methods We used data from the National Vital Statistics System to calculate non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and total age-adjusted suicide rates for the 30 largest US cities and for the entire nation during 2 periods: 2008-2012 and 2013-2017. We also examined absolute and relative differences in suicide rates among non-Hispanic White populations and non-Hispanic Black populations in each city. Results The overall age-adjusted suicide rate per 100 000 population in the United States increased significantly from 12.3 in 2008-2012 to 13.5 in 2013-2017. Total suicide rates were stable in most cities; rates increased significantly in only 1 city (Louisville), and rates decreased significantly in 2 cities (Boston and Memphis). The non-Hispanic White suicide rate was significantly higher—1.3 to 4.3 times higher—than the non-Hispanic Black suicide rate in 24 of 26 study cities during 2013-2017. From 2008-2012 to 2013-2017, non-Hispanic White suicide rates decreased significantly in 3 cities and increased significantly in 3 cities; non-Hispanic Black suicide rates increased significantly in 5 cities and decreased in none. Absolute differences in suicide rates among non-Hispanic White populations and non-Hispanic Black populations increased significantly in 1 city (Louisville) and decreased significantly in 2 cities (Memphis and Boston). Conclusions Our study may inform the use of evidence-based programs and practices to address population-level risk factors for suicide.

scholarly journals SUICIDE TRENDS AND DISPARITIES AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES, 2008-2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S692-S692
Author(s):  
Sanae El Ibrahimi ◽  
Yunyu Xiao ◽  
Matthew L Smith
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Life Issues ◽  
End Of Life Issues

Abstract Background: Suicide ranks within the top fifteen causes of death among adults 55 and older in the United States and is a growing concern in the face of social isolation and other end-of-life issues. This study examined differences and trends in suicide rates and methods among older adults in the U.S. Methods: Suicide mortality rates from 2008-2017 were derived from the Multiple Cause of Death files in the CDC’s WONDER database. Suicide deaths were identified from the underlying causes of death using ICD-10 codes. Age-adjusted death rates (per 100,000) were calculated. Older adults were grouped into four age categories: 55-64, 65-74, 75-84, and 85+ years. Percent change in suicide rates between 2008-2017 were examined, which were then stratified by gender and top suicide methods. Results: Suicide rates increased by 16% among adults 55 years of age and older from 2008 to 2017 (15.4 vs 17.8 per 100,000 respectively). In 2017, the suicide rate among older adults was 27% higher than the general population (14.0 per 100,000). Suicide rates were significantly higher among men relative to women for those ages 85+ (14:1 ratio of males-to-females). However, females in the 65-74 age group experienced the highest increase of suicide rate (41%) compared to other females or males across age groups. The most common method of suicide was firearms, followed by poisoning and suffocation. Suffocation had the highest increase over time (37%). Conclusion: Rising suicide rates among older adults suggest the need for tailored intervention strategies that address upstream suicide-related risk factors.

scholarly journals A transnational and transregional study of the impact and effectiveness of social distancing for COVID-19 mitigation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarcísio M. Rocha Filho ◽  
Marcelo A. Moret ◽  
José F. F. Mendes
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Spearman’S Correlation

AbstractWe present an analysis of the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and a social distancing metric from data for all the states and most populous cities in the United States and Brazil, all the 22 European Economic Community countries and the United Kingdom. We discuss why the infection rate, instead of the effective reproduction number or growth rate of cases, is a proper choice to perform this analysis when considering a wide span of time. We obtain a strong Spearman’s rank order correlation between the social distancing metric and the infection rate in each locality. We show that mask mandates increase the values of Spearman’s correlation in the United States, where a mandate was adopted. We also obtain an explicit numerical relation between the infection rate and the social distancing metric defined in the present work.

scholarly journals A Transnational and Transregional Study of the Impact and Effectiveness of Social Distancing for COVID-19 Mitigation

Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 1530
Author(s):  
Tarcísio M. Rocha Filho ◽  
Marcelo A. Moret ◽  
José F. F. Mendes
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Spearman’S Correlation

We present an analysis of the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and a social distancing metric from data for all the states and most populous cities in the United States and Brazil, all the 22 European Economic Community countries and the United Kingdom. We discuss why the infection rate, instead of the effective reproduction number or growth rate of cases, is a proper choice to perform this analysis when considering a wide span of time. We obtain a strong Spearman’s rank order correlation between the social distancing metric and the infection rate in each locality. We show that mask mandates increase the values of Spearman’s correlation in the United States, where a mandate was adopted. We also obtain an explicit numerical relation between the infection rate and the social distancing metric defined in the present work.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Suicide Rates and Mental Health Provider Ratio

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Bates ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Provider ◽  
Health Provider ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The Relationship

This project is an analysis of the relationship between suicide rates and mental health provider ratio within the United States. Data from 2018 are collected for each state regarding its suicide rate, mental health provider ratio, and percent of population unable to receive treatment for mental health problems. An initial analysis is made using suicide rates and mental health provider ratio, with no correlation being found. A second analysis is conducted, using multiple linear regression with the percent of individuals within each state who were unable to access treatment for their mental health problems being the confounding variable. Controlling for the percent of individuals within each state who were unable to access treatment for their mental health problems provided a significant correlation between suicide rate and mental health provider ratio (R2 = .961). This allows for further analysis, using integration to determine the average suicide rate using the equation of the trendlines for the graphs of both the unadjusted and adjusted data. The average suicide rate for the unadjusted graph is 16.32 per 100,000. For the adjusted graph, this number is 16.07 per 100,000. Findings imply that access to mental health providers and treatment availability decreases the amount of suicides within the United States.

Relationships between Unemployment Rates and Suicide Rates in Eight Countries, 1962–1976

1980 ◽  
Vol 47 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1095-1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myron Boor
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Great Britain ◽  
Federal Republic ◽  
The United States ◽  
Unemployment Rates ◽  
Psychological Conditions ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The Social ◽  
Apparent Reasons

Annual variations in suicide rates between 1962 and 1976 were associated positively and significantly with concomitant annual variations in the unemployment rates of Canada, France, Germany (Federal Republic), Japan, Sweden, and the United States. These findings, which can be attributed primarily to the relationships between these variables among relatively young persons, indicate that in a variety of cultures the social and psychological conditions associated with relatively high unemployment rates also were associated with relatively high suicide rates. The predicted relationship between these rates was not obtained for Italy or Great Britain (England and Wales), and apparent reasons for the lack of relationship in these two countries are discussed.

Educational Attainment and Suicide Rates in the United States

2005 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest L. Abel ◽  
Michael L. Kruger
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
United States ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Household Income ◽  
College Graduates ◽  
The United States ◽  
Median Household Income ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The Relationship

We examined the relationship between educational attainment and suicide rate in the United States for 2001. Suicide rates, adjusted for age, were compared with percentage of college graduates, median household income, and poverty in 50 states in 2001. The correlations of suicide rates with educational attainment and median household income were both negative and statistically significant. Poverty was not significantly related to suicide rates. We concluded that higher education and income were associated with a decrease in suicide rates in 2001. Data from other years require examination for this conclusion to be generalizable.

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