Climate change and rising global temperatures may have consequences not only for the environment but also for mental health and social behavior. A new study has found that higher daily temperatures are associated with an increased risk of suicide and homicide in Mexico and Brazil.
Researchers from Southern Medical University in China and the University of São Paulo analyzed mortality and weather data from both countries covering the period from 2000 to 2019. The study, published in the journal Nature Mental Health, examined more than 1.2 million records of deaths officially classified as suicides or homicides.
Scientists compared the temperature recorded on the day of each death with weather conditions on other similar days in the same location. The analysis showed that even a small rise in temperature was linked to a higher risk of violent deaths.
In Brazil, a 1°C increase in average daily temperature was associated with a 2.17% rise in homicide risk and a 2.78% increase in suicide risk. In Mexico, the same temperature increase was linked to a 1.80% higher homicide risk and a 3.75% higher suicide risk.
The strongest associations were observed among men, people of mixed-race backgrounds, and during weekends and warmer seasons. Researchers also found that socioeconomic conditions influenced how strongly temperature affected suicide and homicide rates.
According to the study, temperatures above the regional average were associated with about 10% of suicides and homicides in Brazil and more than 12% of such deaths in Mexico during the study period.
The authors say the findings highlight the need to adapt public health and mental health services to a warming climate. Heat adaptation strategies, including better support systems and preventive measures, could help reduce the impact of rising temperatures on vulnerable populations.
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