@article{ref1,
title="Suicide and drug toxicity mortality in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: use of medical examiner data for public health in Nova Scotia",
journal="Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada",
year="2021",
author="Schleihauf, Emily and Bowes, Matthew J.",
volume="42",
number="2",
pages="e2-e2",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic and governmental responses have raised concerns about any corresponding rise in suicide and/or drug toxicity mortality due to exacerbations of mental illness, economic issues, changes to drug supply, ability to access harm reduction services, and other factors. <br><br>METHODS: Data were obtained from the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service. Case definitions were developed, and their performance characteristics assessed. Pre-pandemic trends in monthly suicide and drug toxicity deaths were modelled and the observed numbers of deaths in the pandemic year compared to expected numbers. <br><br>RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in suicide deaths in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nova Scotia, with about 21 fewer non-drug toxicity suicide deaths than expected in March 2020 to February 2021 (risk ratio = 0.82). No change in drug toxicity mortality was detected. Case definitions were successfully applied to free-text cause of death statements and cases where cause and manner of death remained under investigation. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Processes for case classification and monitoring can be implemented in collaboration with medical examiners/coroners for timely, ongoing public health surveillance of suicide and drug toxicity mortality. Medical examiners and coroners are the stewards of a wealth of data that could inform the prevention of further deaths; it is time to engage these systems in public health surveillance.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2368-738X",
doi="10.24095/hpcdp.42.2.02",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.42.2.02"
}