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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 November 2024
Objectives: Describe the relationship between suicide rates and deconfinement government policies in Chilean elderly.
Methods: Information on elderly deaths by suicide during de 2021–2023 period was taken from the Health Statistical Information Department of Chile (open access). Suicide rates were calculated, and monthly basis trends built. Government quarantine- deconfinement measures were reviewed for describing the relationship between policies and suicide rates.
Results: In the three-year period analyzed, suicide rates increased from 9.1 per 100,000 inhabitants to 11.4% during 2022 and decreased during 2023 to 10 per 100,000 inhabitants. Monthly suicide rates by each year are shown in Figure 1.
Conclusions: Between 2021–2023, the highest suicide rates occurred in 2022. When analyzing the trend on a monthly basis, it can be seen that there might be a relation with government quarantine-deconfinement measures. The most restrictive ones (March–June) seemed associated with the lowest rates. On the contrary, lower social restrictions (July and November) increased the deaths by suicide in the elderly.