K Inoue1, Y Nishimura, Y Fujita, Y Ono, T Fukunaga. 1. Department of Public Health, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi 470-1192, Japan. keinoue@fujita-hu.ac.jp
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Suicide rates in Japan were high in 1998 and have remained high since then. Many researchers have discussed the current state of suicide in Japan and the world; however, there are various opinions about the relationship between suicide and climate. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: In the present study, we report on long-term data of suicide and examine five climatic issues in Japan as a whole and in 10 selected prefectures: the five with the highest suicide rates in 2006 (Akita, Iwate, Shimane, Yamagata and Miyazaki Prefectures) and the five with the lowest (Nara, Tokushima, Okayama, Kanagawa and Kyoto Prefectures). RESULTS: Annual age-adjusted suicide rates were found to have a significant inverse correlation with annual mean air temperature in the five prefectures with the highest suicide rates and in the three prefectures with the lowest suicide rates among women. Annual age-adjusted suicide rates were significantly correlated with annual mean relative humidity in the three prefectures with the highest suicide rates among women and with the annual total sunshine duration in the three prefectures with the highest suicide rates among women. CONCLUSION: It is important that these associations between suicide and climatic factors be discussed further from various viewpoints, including those of many researchers and relevant organizations.
OBJECTIVE: Suicide rates in Japan were high in 1998 and have remained high since then. Many researchers have discussed the current state of suicide in Japan and the world; however, there are various opinions about the relationship between suicide and climate. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: In the present study, we report on long-term data of suicide and examine five climatic issues in Japan as a whole and in 10 selected prefectures: the five with the highest suicide rates in 2006 (Akita, Iwate, Shimane, Yamagata and Miyazaki Prefectures) and the five with the lowest (Nara, Tokushima, Okayama, Kanagawa and Kyoto Prefectures). RESULTS: Annual age-adjusted suicide rates were found to have a significant inverse correlation with annual mean air temperature in the five prefectures with the highest suicide rates and in the three prefectures with the lowest suicide rates among women. Annual age-adjusted suicide rates were significantly correlated with annual mean relative humidity in the three prefectures with the highest suicide rates among women and with the annual total sunshine duration in the three prefectures with the highest suicide rates among women. CONCLUSION: It is important that these associations between suicide and climatic factors be discussed further from various viewpoints, including those of many researchers and relevant organizations.
Authors: Laura Hiltunen; Jari Haukka; Reija Ruuhela; Kirsi Suominen; Timo Partonen Journal: Environ Health Prev Med Date: 2014-05-03 Impact factor: 3.674
Authors: Konstantinos N Fountoulakis; Isaia Chatzikosta; Konstantinos Pastiadis; Prodromos Zanis; Wolfram Kawohl; Ad J F M Kerkhof; Alvydas Navickas; Cyril Höschl; Dusica Lecic-Tosevski; Eliot Sorel; Elmars Rancans; Eva Palova; Georg Juckel; Goran Isacsson; Helena Korosec Jagodic; Ileana Botezat-Antonescu; Janusz Rybakowski; Jean Michel Azorin; John Cookson; John Waddington; Peter Pregelj; Koen Demyttenaere; Luchezar G Hranov; Lidija Injac Stevovic; Lucas Pezawas; Marc Adida; Maria Luisa Figuera; Miro Jakovljević; Monica Vichi; Giulio Perugi; Ole A Andreassen; Olivera Vukovic; Paraskevi Mavrogiorgou; Peeter Varnik; Peter Dome; Petr Winkler; Raimo K R Salokangas; Tiina From; Vita Danileviciute; Xenia Gonda; Zoltan Rihmer; Jonas Forsman; Anne Grady; Thomas Hyphantis; Ingrid Dieset; Susan Soendergaard; Maurizio Pompili; Per Bech Journal: Ann Gen Psychiatry Date: 2016-08-09 Impact factor: 3.455