Deprivation Link To Suicide Among Young

There have been many reports on health inequalities that cleave Scottish society in two, but research published today by Glasgow University on death rates across Scotland and Europe is about as bleak as it gets.

In contrast to the usual trends which show people living longer as health care and means have improved, the study finds mortality has increased among the young.

Death rates during the past 20 years have climbed among men between the ages of 15 and 44, and women aged 15 to 29. A tragic list of man-inflicted ills are responsible: violence, drug as well as alcohol abuse and suicide.

The report, produced by the Medical Research Council’s social sciences unit at Glasgow University, compares these killers to diseases which governments have been fighting with apparently greater success.

The researchers note that by the millennium suicide was as important a cause of death among those under 64 as lung cancer. They also comment that, while deaths as a result of assault were rare, violence killed unskilled workers as often as colorectal cancer.

Professor Alastair Leyland, lead author of the report, said: “Colorectal cancer is known to be one of the major killers and something that has money and effort spent on it and to find out that by 2001 the mortality rate from chronic liver disease and from suicide are about the same level as colorectal cancer means we now have to think about these in the same way. These are now major killers. Twenty years ago they were not.”

Professor Neil McKeganey, director of the centre for drug misuse research at Glasgow University, confirmed drug abuse had also grown substantially since 1980.

He added: “Our young people are being killed off as a result of drug abuse before they can fall ill with these other medical problems. We must have no illusions about the impact of serious drug abuse. It is something which we really need to redouble our efforts and our focus on to ensure Scotland doesn’t sit at the top of the league table of countries for illegal drugs use among young people.”

Dr Cameron Stark, honorary lecturer in public health at Aberdeen University, said since the period covered by the report there has been some reduction in suicides among young men, although the reasons for the surge and the recent decline were not clear-cut.

“Suicide isn’t an issue for which there is going to be one solution or one quick-fix,” he said.

“Continued commitment across the board is going to be what is needed. The recent drop in young mortality rates has been very welcome but I do think there is a long way to go.”

Research, he said, showed suicide was more prevalent among the most deprived, with those in the poorest areas twice as likely to kill themselves as those in affluent communities.

The higher levels of mortality in Scotland’s poorest districts is the key theme of today’s report.

Only Portugal has a higher death rate than Scotland, according to the research. However, 18 of Scotland’s council areas have similar mortality figures to neighbouring nations. Just eight authorities, covering 30% of the population, soar above.

Not only are death rates in these areas worse than Portugal, the report highlights the fact Glasgow City Council’s rate is 60% worse.

Professor Leyland said: “We have got to look at ways of addressing poverty and deprivation and the associated problems which are not necessarily health problems.”