Social fragmentation is associated with high suicide risk

Mortality from most common diseases is higher in populations living in socioeconomically deprived areas. However, recent studies suggest that suicide rates may be highest in socially fragmented areas. Whitley et al (p 1034) explored this hypothesis using ecological data in Great Britain. They found that suicide rates were raised in areas with higher rates of private renting, single person households, unmarried people, and mobility in the past year. The association between suicide and social fragmentation was greater than, and independent of, that with deprivation. They suggest that any targeting of suicide prevention should be aimed at socially fragmented rather than deprived areas.


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Relevant Article

Ecological study of social fragmentation, poverty, and suicide
Elise Whitley, David Gunnell, Daniel Dorling, and George Davey Smith
BMJ 1999 319: 1034-1037. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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