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The Effect of Meteorological, Pollution, and Geographic Exposures on Death by Suicide: A Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah L. Cornelius

    (VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT 05009, USA)

  • Tara Berry

    (VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT 05009, USA)

  • Amanda J. Goodrich

    (Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA)

  • Brian Shiner

    (VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT 05009, USA
    Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA)

  • Natalie B. Riblet

    (VA Medical Center, White River Junction, VT 05009, USA
    Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA)

Abstract

Suicide is a significant public health concern worldwide and in the United States. Despite the far-reaching impact of suicide, risk factors are still not well understood and efforts to accurately assess risk have fallen short. Current research has highlighted how potentially modifiable environmental exposures (i.e., meteorological, pollution, and geographic exposures) can affect suicide risk. A scoping review was conducted to evaluate the strength of the historical and current literature on the environment’s effect on suicide and suicide risk. Three databases (i.e., Medline, Embase, and PsychInfo) were reviewed to identify relevant studies and two authors independently reviewed studies considering pre-determined inclusion criteria. A total of 46 meteorological studies were included as well as 23 pollution studies and 12 geographic studies. Descriptive statistics, including counts, percentages, review of studies’ sample size (minimum, maximum, median, and interquartile range), were calculated using Excel and SAS 9.4. Overall, strong evidence supports that exposure to sunlight, temperature, air pollution, pesticides, and high altitude increases suicide risk, although effect sizes range from very small to small.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah L. Cornelius & Tara Berry & Amanda J. Goodrich & Brian Shiner & Natalie B. Riblet, 2021. "The Effect of Meteorological, Pollution, and Geographic Exposures on Death by Suicide: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7809-:d:599794
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
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    Cited by:

    1. María Sáenz-Aldea & María T. Zarrabeitia & Ana García Blanco & Ana Santurtún, 2022. "Scrutinizing the Profile and Risk Factors of Suicide: A Perspective from a Case–Control Study Focused on a Northern Region of Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-11, November.

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