More veterans, poverty and isolation, less insurance, contribute to higher rural suicide risk; see county-level data - Entrepreneur Generations

Click here for an interactive map with county-level data about
2014-2016 suicide rates (GateHouse Media map)

The U.S. suicide rate has increased between 1999 and 2016, especially in rural counties, according to a newly published study from The Ohio State University. Areas with higher suicide rates tend to have more gun shops, more veterans, and fewer people with health insurance.

Rural residents tend to be poorer, more socially isolated, less educated, less employed, and have less access to mental health services, all of which contributes to higher suicide risk. The researchers measured social isolation in an interesting way: they created a social capital index by counting the number of charities, arts and nature facilities, beauty and barber shops, agents and managers, spectator sports, recreation sites, business and political organizations, civic and social associations, and religious organizations.

The researchers noted that lack of health insurance was a major factor in suicide risk, and recommend improving rural insurance coverage and mental health access to lower suicide risk. They also recommend allocating more services and support to rural veterans. Because gun shops were associated with higher suicide rates, the researchers recommend more study of restricting access as a suicide prevention strategy.

Standardized suicide mortality rate from 2002-2004 (top) and 2014-2016 (bottom) Rates higher than 1.0 represent a higher than average risk of suicide. (OSU maps; click the images to enlarge)

from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/2LDPKvd More veterans, poverty and isolation, less insurance, contribute to higher rural suicide risk; see county-level data - Entrepreneur Generations

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