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Background <p>Climate change is considered one of the central public health challenges of the twenty-first century. While the somatic consequences of heat exposure are well documented, the evidence on mental health effects, particularly suicidal mortality, is so far limited in Germany.</p> Objective <p>The aim of this study was to examine the association between temperature, sunshine duration and the number of suicides in Germany during the period 2015–2023.</p> Methods <p>Data from the official cause of death statistics (International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10): X60–X84 intentional self-harm and suicide) were linked with monthly meteorological data from the German Weather Service (DWD). Correlations between meteorological variables and monthly suicide cases were analyzed complemented by a&#xa0;comparison of pandemic and nonpandemic years.</p> Results <p>On a&#xa0;monthly level both mean temperature (r = 0.34; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and sunshine duration (r = 0.36; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) were significantly correlated with the number of monthly suicides. The correlation was particularly strong in 2020–2021 (r = 0.53).</p> Conclusion <p>Continuous monthly meteorological variables, such as temperature and sunshine duration are associated with suicidal mortality in Germany. These are exploratory findings describing concurrent associations and do not establish causality. The findings highlight the need to incorporate mental health vulnerability into heat action plans.</p>

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Zusammenhang zwischen Temperatur, Sonnenscheindauer und suizidaler Sterblichkeit in Deutschland (2015–2023)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月4日

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  • Jens Bohlken,
  • Karel Kostev

摘要

Background

Climate change is considered one of the central public health challenges of the twenty-first century. While the somatic consequences of heat exposure are well documented, the evidence on mental health effects, particularly suicidal mortality, is so far limited in Germany.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the association between temperature, sunshine duration and the number of suicides in Germany during the period 2015–2023.

Methods

Data from the official cause of death statistics (International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10): X60–X84 intentional self-harm and suicide) were linked with monthly meteorological data from the German Weather Service (DWD). Correlations between meteorological variables and monthly suicide cases were analyzed complemented by a comparison of pandemic and nonpandemic years.

Results

On a monthly level both mean temperature (r = 0.34; p < 0.001) and sunshine duration (r = 0.36; p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with the number of monthly suicides. The correlation was particularly strong in 2020–2021 (r = 0.53).

Conclusion

Continuous monthly meteorological variables, such as temperature and sunshine duration are associated with suicidal mortality in Germany. These are exploratory findings describing concurrent associations and do not establish causality. The findings highlight the need to incorporate mental health vulnerability into heat action plans.