Climatic and Economic Drivers in Suicides in Rural India
2018 Standard Research Grant
Amount Awarded: $100,000
Focus Area: Psychosocial Studies
Ram Fishman, Ph.D.
Tel-Aviv University (Israel)
Inside the Research
Question: How do climatic and economic changes affect populational suicide rates?
Strategy: Data collected between 2011-2016 in Karnataka, a state that has experienced rapid economic growth and persistent drought with a large numbers of suicides, will be examined. Detailed data on weather, employment, and individual suicide cases are collected by the government and are available at the village level. “Big data” statistical techniques will be used to estimate the causal impacts of climatic and economic factors on suicide rates.
Impact: Assistance to rural transitioning economies to prevent suicide.
Strategy: Data collected between 2011-2016 in Karnataka, a state that has experienced rapid economic growth and persistent drought with a large numbers of suicides, will be examined. Detailed data on weather, employment, and individual suicide cases are collected by the government and are available at the village level. “Big data” statistical techniques will be used to estimate the causal impacts of climatic and economic factors on suicide rates.
Impact: Assistance to rural transitioning economies to prevent suicide.