Socio-Economic Transition, Inequality, and Mortality in Lithuania

This study assessed increases in inequalities in mortality of Lithuanian urban & rural populations throughout the period of socio-economic transition (1990-2000). Suicide is given particular attention, with Lithuania charting the highest rates in the world. Suicides followed a similar trend in rural & urban areas, increasing significantly throughout this period, especially among rural males. Throughout the period, suicide mortality of the rural population exceeded that of the urban population by a factor of 2. (21 refs)