Age, period, and cohort trends of substance poisoning, alcohol-related disease, and suicide deaths in Australia, 1980–2019
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: PURPOSE: Deaths due to substance poisoning, alcohol-related disease, and suicide pose a critical public health issue, and have been categorized as "deaths of despair" in the US. Whether these deaths represent a distinct phenomenon requires exploration, particularly in other countries. METHODS: This retrospective observational study examines age-period-cohort trends of (combined and cause-specific) substance poisoning, alcohol-related disease, and suicide deaths among Australians aged ≥15-years that occurred between 1980 and 2019 and compares trends between males and females. RESULTS: Combined mortality rates were initially (1980-1999) relatively stable, reflecting a reduction in alcohol-related disease deaths offset by an increase in substance poisoning deaths. A decline (2000-2006) and subsequent increase (2007-2019) in combined rates were primarily attributable to corresponding changes in both substance poisoning and suicide deaths among males. Distinct age-period-cohort trends were observed between cause of death sub-types, with net drifts: increasing for male (net drift [95% CI]: 3.33 [2.84, 3.83]) and female (2.58 [2.18, 2.98]) substance poisoning deaths; decreasing among male alcohol-related disease (- 1.46 [- 1.75, - 1.16]) and suicide deaths (- 0.52[- 0.69, - 0.36]); and remaining relatively stable for female alcohol-related disease (- 0.28 [- 0.66, 0.09]) and suicide deaths (- 0.25 [- 0.52, 0.01]). CONCLUSIONS: Although combined age-specific trends were relatively stable over the study period, different and distinct patterns were observed within cause-specific deaths, challenging the notion that these causes of death represent a distinct epidemiological phenomenon. These data indicate a critical need to review the appropriateness of guidance for clinical practice, prevention strategies, and policy initiatives aimed at preventing future deaths.
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,190
Funders: Australian Government, University of New South Wales, Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Government, National Coronial Information System, National Institutes of Health, National Health and Medical Research Council, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, National Institute on Drug Abuse
Awards: TRANSFORM - Transforming the evidence base on estimating prevalence of opioid use disorder and expanded access to interventions to prevent drug related deaths: an international data linkage study, G2098135006, Quantifying and reducing the burden of alcohol and illicit drug use, Improving Knowledge and Interventions to reduce and prevent substance use related harms
OpenAlex ID: W4401809021