Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
09:28
Evaluation of the Spatial Distribution of γH2AX following Ionizing Radiation
Published on: August 7, 2010
Spatial clusters of suicide in Australia
Xin Qi1, Wenbiao Hu, Andrew Page
1Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
BMC Psychiatry
|July 25, 2012
Summary
High suicide risk clusters in Australia are linked to lower socioeconomic status and higher Indigenous populations. Prevention programs should target these identified high-risk areas for effective intervention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Spatial Analysis
Background:
- Understanding suicide's spatial distribution is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
- This study investigated spatial suicide clusters in Australia and their socio-demographic determinants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze spatial clusters of suicide across Australia.
- To explore the socio-demographic factors associated with these high-risk suicide areas.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Australian Bureau of Statistics data (1999-2003) at the Statistical Local Area (SLA) level.
- Calculated Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMR) and employed Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques.
- Detected spatial clusters of high suicide risk.
Main Results:
- Identified significant male suicide clusters in northeastern and eastern Australia, with specific high-risk areas like Mornington Shire.
- Observed that male suicide clusters were associated with a higher Indigenous population proportion and lower median Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA).
- Found only one significant female suicide cluster near Melbourne, indicating a predominantly male pattern in identified clusters.
Conclusions:
- High suicide risk clusters exist at the SLA level in Australia.
- These clusters are significantly associated with lower median socioeconomic status and a higher proportion of Indigenous people.
- Future suicide prevention efforts must prioritize these identified high-risk geographical areas.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
01:20Cluster Sampling Method
Appropriate sampling methods ensure that samples are drawn without bias and accurately represent the population. Because measuring the entire population in a study is not practical, researchers use samples to represent the population of interest.
To choose a cluster sample, divide the population into clusters (groups) and then randomly select some of the clusters. All the members from these clusters are in the cluster sample. For example, if you randomly sample four departments from your...
To choose a cluster sample, divide the population into clusters (groups) and then randomly select some of the clusters. All the members from these clusters are in the cluster sample. For example, if you randomly sample four departments from your...
01:23Sampling Plans
Sampling is a crucial step in analytical chemistry, allowing researchers to collect representative data from a large population. Common sampling methods include random, judgmental, systematic, stratified, and cluster sampling.
Random sampling is a method where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample. It involves selecting individuals randomly, often using random number generators or lottery-type methods. For example, when analyzing the properties of a...
Random sampling is a method where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample. It involves selecting individuals randomly, often using random number generators or lottery-type methods. For example, when analyzing the properties of a...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Specialized care settings or centers are situated in convenient locations within the community and offer care to a specific group or population. They consist of daycare facilities, mental health facilities, rural health facilities, educational institutions, industries, shelters for the homeless, and rehabilitation facilities.
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
01:17Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a term introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, describes a severe psychological disorder marked by profound disruptions in attention, thought processes, language, emotion, and interpersonal relationships. The core feature of schizophrenia is psychosis — a state characterized by a fundamental detachment from reality. This disconnection manifests through distorted logic, impaired perception, and atypical behavior, severely affecting the lives of those diagnosed.
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...