Adding to these findings, the aim of this study is to provide empirical evidence on potential associations of individual level indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) and social isolation (SI) with district suicide rates. While suicide itself is a complex phenomenon determined by genetic, cultural and behavioral factors (
10,
11), such associations help to identify populations at risk.
Concerning suicide risks linked to SES
, a meta-analysis by Li et al. (12) found the highest relative and population attributable risks of committing suicide for males in low ranked occupational classes and for persons with low educational achievement. Among women, relative risk ratios and population attributable risks were highest for unemployed individuals and individuals with low education. Regarding relations of education and suicide, suicides were also 2.12 times more often observed in the lowest educational group as compared to individuals with the highest educational levels across 35 countries in a study combining census and mortality register data (
13). Unemployment turned out to be associated with suicide in a more recent meta-analysis (
14). Relative risks of these associations were reduced after controlling for prior mental health. Financial strain, as captured by a family income to poverty threshold ratio has been found to be positively related to suicide attempts and ideations in a household survey among U.S. adults (
15).