Long-Term Suicide Mortality Rates Decrease in men and Increase in Women After the Niigata-Chuetsu Earthquake in Japan

This study examined whether the 2004 Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake in Japan affected long-term mortality from suicide. A comparative study was conducted of suicide rates during the 5-year period preceding & the 3-year period following the earthquake in the disaster area & a control area. In men, baseline suicide mortality rates were 48.4 per 100,000 person-years in the disaster area & 46.1 in the control area; following the earthquake rates were 46.0 & 45.1, respectively. In women, baseline rates were 22.3 in the disaster area & 18.7 in the control area, & post-earthquake rates were 20.2 & 15.3, respectively. It is concluded post-earthquake prevention strategies should more aggressively target women. (20 refs.)