Citation

Sugg MM, Runkle JD, Andersen LM, Desjardins MR. J. Adolesc. Health 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.06.013

PMID

35985915

Abstract

PURPOSE: Suicide is an ongoing public health crisis among youth and adolescents, and few studies have investigated the spatial patterning in the United States among this subpopulation. Potential precursors to suicide in this vulnerable group are also on the rise, including nonfatal self-injury.

METHODS: This study uses emergency department data, death certificates, and violent death reporting system data for North Carolina from 2009 to 2018 to investigate spatial clusters of self-injury and suicide.

RESULTS: Findings show that the demographic characteristics of individuals committing fatal and nonfatal self-injury are quite different. Self-injury and completed suicides exhibited different geographical patterns. Area-level measures like micropolitan status and measures of racial and income segregation predicted the presence of high-risk suicide clusters. Suicides among Native Americans and veteran status/military personnel also were associated with higher risk suicide clusters.

DISCUSSION: Future interventions should target these specific high-risk locations for immediate reductions in adolescent and youth suicides.

Language: en

Keywords

Suicide; Spatial analysis; Mapping; Self-harm; Suicide ideation; Racial segregation; Rurality