Abstract
This paper examines the suicide rates of 23 cities and counties in Taiwan from 1983 to 2001. We found that a combination of economic and social variables can significantly account for the tremendous variations in suicide rates across Taiwan’s cities and counties and over the last two decades. The results are mostly consistent with an earlier study that covered a relatively shorter period. The level of income per capita in a region continued to appear as the most important predictor of suicide rates. However, some sociological correlates (such as divorce rate) which were less powerful in explaining earlier suicide rate variations appear to exert more significant influence over suicide rates when 8 more recent years of information are added to the current study. This study also uncovered several gender differences in the determination of regional suicide rates, such as the proportion of elderly population in the region, and the impacts of earthquake and unemployment. Furthermore, this study confirmed the linkages between natural disaster (earthquake) and suicide, between economic and social miseries (unemployment and divorce, respectively) and suicide, as well as those between demographics (aboriginal and elderly sub-population groups) and suicide. This may help to identify high-risk groups or areas where suicide prevention and intervention efforts should be concentrated on or directed to. Lastly, the local suicide crisis-intervention agencies are found to be significantly effective in reducing suicide rates of the community they serve.