Suicide Rates Fall When States Raise Minimum Wage: Study

HealthDay

Findings from a recent study suggest that raising the minimum wage could help lower suicide rates. Looking at data from all 50 states, researchers found that increasing a state’s minimum wage by one dollar was associated with a nearly 2 percent decrease in its annual suicide rate. The researchers concluded that raising minimum wages could help lower suicide rates, but cautioned that their findings did not prove a cause and effect relationship. Economic policies are just one of many strategies that should be used to address suicide, according to Raymond Tucker, assistant professor of psychology at Louisiana State University. A comprehensive approach that includes raising the minimum wage, limiting access to firearms, and addressing social inequities would be more likely to have an impact, said Tucker.

Spark Extra! Read the study abstract.