Project 467220

Suicide is a leading cause of mortality in Canada. The etiology of suicide is multifaceted and includes social factors, which are relevant for equitable interventions. One social factor of interest is relative income inequality, which is the inequitable distribution of income within an area. Beyond absolute income, relative income inequality has been independently associated with increased mortality and multimorbidity. Income inequality may erode social cohesion (the absence of conflict and presence of strong social bonds) and invite distressing social comparisons. Income inequality has been associated with mental illness, and mental illness is a known risk factor for suicide. The proposed research will investigate the specific relationship between income inequality and suicide-related behaviors (SRBs). It is hypothesized that area-level income inequality will increase the risk for individual SRBs.The project uses a retrospective cohort design, utilizing linked health administrative data from Ontario between 2013 to 2018 to provide the first longitudinal analysis of income inequality and individual-level SRB outcomes in Canada. The research will be conducted using linked data from the Canadian Community Health Survey and administrative health databases. The independent variable is census-division level income inequality. Regression will be performed to determine the relationship between income inequality and SRBs over time. All analyses will be stratified by gender.This project will be among the first to examine suicide through the lens of social epidemiology in Canada and will generate knowledge on the role of income inequality in suicide. It is expected that the analysis may aid in the design of future research, interventions, and policy for suicide prevention.