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A new systematic review, analysing recent global research, has strengthened evidence that regulations limiting access to highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) are effective in preventing suicides.
Led by colleagues at the University of Bristol, with support from the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention, the review builds upon a 2017 study that analysed data from 16 countries. It concluded that national bans on HHPs significantly reduced suicide rates.
Suicide rate reductions
This latest review focuses on research published since 2017. It examined nine studies conducted in six countries across Asia, further reinforcing the effectiveness of pesticide regulations in saving lives.
The review included a re-analysis of findings from three low- and middle-income countries, revealing significant reductions in pesticide-related suicides following targeted bans.
In China, the pesticide suicide rate fell by 60.5% between 2006 and 2018 following multiple bans on several highly hazardous pesticides.
In India, a ban on endosulfan led to a decrease in pesticide suicides by up to 39%. The state of Kerala also recorded a 21% reduction following a regional ban on the same pesticide.
Likewise, in Inner Mongolia, pesticide suicides decreased by 49%, accompanied by a 33% reduction in the overall suicide rate, following bans on 14 pesticides between 2008 and 2012.
There were similar findings from studies in high-income countries, with Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan all reporting a reduction in pesticide suicides following regulations on paraquat.
Further findings
The review also revealed that overall suicide rates declined more significantly in low- and middle-income countries compared to high-income nations. Similarly, the impact of pesticide bans was more pronounced in rural areas. This is likely due to the higher prevalence of pesticide self-poisoning in these communities.
Crucially, the study found that pesticide bans were only effective when targeting compounds responsible for a large proportion of suicide deaths. Additionally, it found limited evidence of method substitution, where individuals switched from pesticides to alternative methods of suicide.
Strengthening existing evidence
Dr Bruna Rubbo, who led the review, said:
“Pesticide self-poisoning is one of the leading methods of suicides worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Over the last few decades, growing evidence has demonstrated the effectiveness of pesticide bans as a suicide prevention strategy, making it a central component of the World Health Organization’s LIVE LIFE initiative for suicide prevention.
“As countries consider and implement new pesticide regulations, it is important to understand the most recent evidence. This review provides an updated summary of the effects of bans, building on and strengthening existing findings. It provides governments and health officials with robust and current evidence to support decisive action in reducing suicide through targeted pesticide bans.”
The new systematic review ‘Preventing suicide by restricting access to highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs): a systematic review of international evidence since 2017’ is published in PLOS Global Public Health.
Related publications
PUBLICATION: Prevention of suicide with regulations aimed at restricting access to highly hazardous pesticides: a systematic review of the international evidence (The Lancet Global Health, 2017)
PUBLICATION: An implementation guide for suicide prevention in countries (World Health Organization, 2021)