Inequalities in Suicide Rates in the European Union’s Elderly: Trends and Impact of Macro-Socioeconomic Factors Between 1980 and 2006

This study explored temporal trends in age-adjusted suicide rates for people aged 65 years & older residing in the European Union from 1980-2006. In the years examined, there has been a general decrease in suicide rates in new & early members of the European Union, although more slowly for elderly men than for women. The decrease in suicide rates of elderly citizens was associated with a small but significant difference between new & early members of the European Union. The macro-socioeconomic indices were strongly associated with age-adjusted suicide rates in European Union senior citizens, excepting unemployment rates. (53 refs.)