Sex-Specific Trends in Suicide by Firearm in Vermont
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
Objective: To examine sex-specific trends in suicide by firearm across the state of Vermont, addressing research gaps regarding sex, geographic location, and place of firearm suicides. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 866 individuals who met the criteria of suicide by firearm in the Vermont Electronic Death Registration System from 2008 to 2022. We employed descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and logistic regression analyses to examine the relationship between demographic variables and suicide by firearm. Results: Of the 866 firearm suicides, 90.4% were male. Sex, age, educational level, marital status, and place of death were significant predictors of firearm suicide death. Males over 61 and females aged 21-40 had higher odds of suicide by firearm compared to their counterparts. Conclusions: This study highlights that in Vermont, older males, individuals with lower educational attainment, and residents of rural areas were the most at risk of suicide by firearm. Policy Implications: There is a need for targeted suicide prevention efforts that consider sociodemographic risk factors. Efforts consisting of multifaceted approaches addressing firearm access and mental health risk factors may be effective.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Laura O'Sullivan
Graduate Student Mentors
Tom Delaney
Status
Graduate
Student College
Larner College of Medicine
Program/Major
Public Health
Primary Research Category
Clinical
Sex-Specific Trends in Suicide by Firearm in Vermont
Objective: To examine sex-specific trends in suicide by firearm across the state of Vermont, addressing research gaps regarding sex, geographic location, and place of firearm suicides. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 866 individuals who met the criteria of suicide by firearm in the Vermont Electronic Death Registration System from 2008 to 2022. We employed descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and logistic regression analyses to examine the relationship between demographic variables and suicide by firearm. Results: Of the 866 firearm suicides, 90.4% were male. Sex, age, educational level, marital status, and place of death were significant predictors of firearm suicide death. Males over 61 and females aged 21-40 had higher odds of suicide by firearm compared to their counterparts. Conclusions: This study highlights that in Vermont, older males, individuals with lower educational attainment, and residents of rural areas were the most at risk of suicide by firearm. Policy Implications: There is a need for targeted suicide prevention efforts that consider sociodemographic risk factors. Efforts consisting of multifaceted approaches addressing firearm access and mental health risk factors may be effective.