BACKGROUND: We aimed to study the effect of weather conditions on the rate of all deaths due to fatal self-harm (FSH) reported in a population of 350,000. In this study the term FSH refers to all coroners' verdicts which were recorded in a specified period and included suicide, misadventure and open verdict. METHOD: Five-year data of FSH in North Cheshire was analysed in relation to meteorological data, which were measured at the nearest meteorological office to the study population. RESULTS: Small but significant positive correlations were demonstrated between occurrence of FSH and hours of sunshine (P < 0.01) and diurnal variations in daily temperature (P < 0.05). These effects were independent of gender and psychiatric history. CONCLUSIONS: Weather may influence the occurrence of FSH, probably interacting with biological and social variables. The rate of FSH death appears to be positively related to fine weather conditions, during early summer, and not to extreme weather conditions as previously reported.
BACKGROUND: We aimed to study the effect of weather conditions on the rate of all deaths due to fatal self-harm (FSH) reported in a population of 350,000. In this study the term FSH refers to all coroners' verdicts which were recorded in a specified period and included suicide, misadventure and open verdict. METHOD: Five-year data of FSH in North Cheshire was analysed in relation to meteorological data, which were measured at the nearest meteorological office to the study population. RESULTS: Small but significant positive correlations were demonstrated between occurrence of FSH and hours of sunshine (P < 0.01) and diurnal variations in daily temperature (P < 0.05). These effects were independent of gender and psychiatric history. CONCLUSIONS: Weather may influence the occurrence of FSH, probably interacting with biological and social variables. The rate of FSH death appears to be positively related to fine weather conditions, during early summer, and not to extreme weather conditions as previously reported.
Authors: A Bulbena; G Pailhez; R Aceña; J Cunillera; A Rius; C Garcia-Ribera; J Gutiérrez; C Rojo Journal: Int J Biometeorol Date: 2004-11-18 Impact factor: 3.787
Authors: P G Dixon; A N McDonald; K N Scheitlin; J E Stapleton; J S Allen; W M Carter; M R Holley; D D Inman; J B Roberts Journal: Int J Biometeorol Date: 2007-01-11 Impact factor: 3.738
Authors: P Grady Dixon; Mark Sinyor; Ayal Schaffer; Anthony Levitt; Christa R Haney; Kelsey N Ellis; Scott C Sheridan Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2014-11-13 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Richard A White; Deborah Azrael; Fotios C Papadopoulos; Gavin W Lambert; Matthew Miller Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2015-06-03 Impact factor: 2.692