Transportation Noise Increases Risk for Suicides

Photo: Freepix - Mental health disorders affect nearly one billion people worldwide and are a leading cause of suicide. A study by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) has now found that the risk to commit suicide increases for people exposed to high levels of transportation noise. The results were published today in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Mental health disorders affect nearly one billion people worldwide and are a leading cause of suicide. In Switzerland, it is estimated that about 1.4 million people are affected by mental health issues and that approximately 1,000 people take their lives every year. Environmental factors such as air pollution or noise have been linked to adverse health effects such as cardiovascular diseases and general well-being. However, robust evidence on the effects of transportation noise on mental health disorders remains scarce.