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The US air force suicide prevention program: Implications for public health policy

Author

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  • Knox, K.L.
  • Pflanz, S.
  • Talcott, G.W.
  • Campise, R.L.
  • Lavigne, J.E.
  • Bajorska, A.
  • Tu, X.
  • Caine, E.D.

Abstract

Objectives. We evaluated the effectiveness of the US Air Force Suicide Prevention Program (AFSPP) in reducing suicide, and we measured the extent to which air force installations implemented the program. Methods. We determined the AFSPP's impact on suicide rates in the air force by applying an intervention regression model to data from 1981 through 2008, providing 16 years of data before the program's 1997 launch and 11 years of data after launch. Also, we measured implementation of program components at 2 points in time: during a 2004 increase in suicide rates, and 2 years afterward. Results. Suicide rates in the air force were signi?cantly lower after the AFSPP was launched than before, except during 2004. We also determined that the program was being implemented less rigorously in 2004. Conclusions. The AFSPP effectively prevented suicides in the US Air Force. The long-term effectiveness of this program depends upon extensive implementation and effective monitoring of implementation. Suicides can be reduced through amultilayered, overlapping approach that encompasses key prevention domains and tracks implementation of program activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Knox, K.L. & Pflanz, S. & Talcott, G.W. & Campise, R.L. & Lavigne, J.E. & Bajorska, A. & Tu, X. & Caine, E.D., 2010. "The US air force suicide prevention program: Implications for public health policy," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(12), pages 2457-2463.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2009.159871_4
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.159871
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    Cited by:

    1. Sadhvi Krishnamoorthy & Sharna Mathieu & Victoria Ross & Gregory Armstrong & Kairi Kõlves, 2022. "What Are Complex Interventions in Suicide Research? Definitions, Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-10, July.
    2. Tanja Laukkala & Alpo Vuorio & Robert Bor & Bruce Budowle & Pooshan Navathe & Eero Pukkala & Antti Sajantila, 2018. "Copycats in Pilot Aircraft-Assisted Suicides after the Germanwings Incident," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-8, March.
    3. Ella Arensman & Claire Coffey & Eve Griffin & Chantal Van Audenhove & Gert Scheerder & Ricardo Gusmao & Susana Costa & Celine Larkin & Nicole Koburger & Margaret Maxwell & Fiona Harris & Vita Postuvan, 2016. "Effectiveness of Depression–Suicidal Behaviour Gatekeeper Training among police officers in three European regions: Outcomes of the Optimising Suicide Prevention Programmes and Their Implementation ," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 62(7), pages 651-660, November.
    4. Alpo Vuorio & Tanja Laukkala & Ilkka Junttila & Robert Bor & Bruce Budowle & Eero Pukkala & Pooshan Navathe & Antti Sajantila, 2018. "Aircraft-Assisted Pilot Suicides in the General Aviation Increased for One-Year Period after 11 September 2001 Attack in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-10, November.

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