Male to Female sex Ratio of Suicide Rates in two Elderly Age-Bands and Socio-Economic Factors

The relationship between the male to female sex ratios of suicide rates in the age-bands 65-74 years & 75+ years & socioeconomic factors was examined in a cross-national study using data from the World Health Organization & the United Nations. The main findings were that there was a significant positive correlation between the male to female sex ratio in the age-band 65-74 years & the Gini coefficient & that there were significant positive correlations between the male to female sex ratio of suicide rates in the age-band 75+ years & per capita gross domestic product, proportion of gross domestic product spent on health, & per capita expenditure on health. (31 refs.)JA