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Hot Weather and Suicide Deaths among Older Adults in Hong Kong, 1976–2014: A Retrospective Study

Author

Listed:
  • Pui Hing Chau

    (School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    The Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Paul Siu Fai Yip

    (The Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Eric Ho Yin Lau

    (School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Yee Ting Ip

    (The Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay, Hong Kong, China)

  • Frances Yik Wa Law

    (The Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Rainbow Tin Hung Ho

    (Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    Centre of Bebavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Angela Yee Man Leung

    (School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)

  • Janet Yuen Ha Wong

    (School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Jean Woo

    (Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Findings of the association between hot weather and suicide in a subtropical city such as Hong Kong are inconsistent. This study aimed to revisit the association by identifying meteorological risk factors for older-adult suicides in Hong Kong using a time-series approach. A retrospective study was conducted on older-adult (aged ≥65) suicide deaths in Hong Kong from 1976 to 2014. Suicides were classified into those involving violent methods and those involving nonviolent methods. Meteorological data, including ambient temperature, were retrieved. Transfer function time-series models were fitted. In total, 7314 older-adult suicide deaths involving violent methods and 630 involving nonviolent methods were recorded. For violent-method suicides, a monthly average daily minimum ambient temperature was determined to best predict the monthly rate, and a daily maximum ambient temperature of 30.3 °C was considered the threshold. For suicide deaths involving nonviolent methods, the number of days in a month for which the daily maximum ambient temperature exceeded 32.7 °C could best predict the monthly rate. Higher ambient temperature was associated with more older-adult suicide deaths, both from violent and nonviolent methods. Weather-focused preventive measures for older-adult suicides are necessary, such as the provision of more public air-conditioned areas where older adults can shelter from extreme hot weather.

Suggested Citation

  • Pui Hing Chau & Paul Siu Fai Yip & Eric Ho Yin Lau & Yee Ting Ip & Frances Yik Wa Law & Rainbow Tin Hung Ho & Angela Yee Man Leung & Janet Yuen Ha Wong & Jean Woo, 2020. "Hot Weather and Suicide Deaths among Older Adults in Hong Kong, 1976–2014: A Retrospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3449-:d:358639
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yan, Yuk Yee, 2000. "The influence of weather on human mortality in Hong Kong," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(3), pages 419-427, February.
    2. P. Grady Dixon & Mark Sinyor & Ayal Schaffer & Anthony Levitt & Christa R. Haney & Kelsey N. Ellis & Scott C. Sheridan, 2014. "Association of Weekly Suicide Rates with Temperature Anomalies in Two Different Climate Types," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-18, November.
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    4. Chang, Qingsong & Chan, Chee Hon & Yip, Paul S.F., 2017. "A meta-analytic review on social relationships and suicidal ideation among older adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 65-76.
    5. Weiwen Wang & Wen Zhou & Edward Yan Yung Ng & Yong Xu, 2016. "Urban heat islands in Hong Kong: statistical modeling and trend detection," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 83(2), pages 885-907, September.
    6. Marshall Burke & Felipe González & Patrick Baylis & Sam Heft-Neal & Ceren Baysan & Sanjay Basu & Solomon Hsiang, 2018. "Higher temperatures increase suicide rates in the United States and Mexico," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(8), pages 723-729, August.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Julia Feriato Corvetto & Ammir Yacoub Helou & Peter Dambach & Thomas Müller & Rainer Sauerborn, 2023. "A Systematic Literature Review of the Impact of Climate Change on the Global Demand for Psychiatric Services," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-27, January.

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