Abstract

Reliability and Sensitivity of Suicide Certification in Higher-Income Countries

Rockett I R H~~Thomas B M

Year: 1999 Source: Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, v.29, no.2, (Summer 1999), p.141-149 SIEC No: 19990241

World Health Organization age-, sex- & cause-specific mortality data for the USA & 19 other democratic higher-income countries were utilized to assess the reliability & sensitivity of suicide certification for purposes of cross-national research. Data are found to be highly reliable across age & sex. Austrian & Dutch certification is the most sensitive while certification for certain subpopulations in Finland, Greece, Ireland, Israel & the United Kingdom is least sensitive. (30 refs.)