Journal of epidemiology and community health
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J Epidemiol Community Health · Nov 2012
Meta AnalysisChanges in suicide rates following media reports on celebrity suicide: a meta-analysis.
A growing number of studies indicate that sensationalist reporting of suicide is associated with increases in suicide rates, but in the light of some negative findings, the issue has remained controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the best current evidence on the association between celebrity suicide stories and subsequent suicides. ⋯ Reports on celebrity suicide are associated with increases in suicides. Study region and celebrity type appear to have an impact on the effect size.