TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - 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
JO  - Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada
A1  - Schleihauf, Emily
A1  - Bowes, Matthew J.
SP  - e2
EP  - e2
VL  - 42
IS  - 2
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 2368-738X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.42.2.02
ID  - ref1
ER  -