Method: Death certificate data were obtained for NJ's 21 counties. The ICD 10th Revision was used to extract the homicide data. Results: There were 5,028 LVC victims in NJ, 1989-1996. The age adjusted homicide rate declined from 7.5 in 1989 to 6.8 per 100,000 populations in 1996, a 9.3% decline. Counties' disparities in LVC age adjusted rates varied remarkably from 21.4 in Essex urbanized county to 1.6 in Somerset rural county. This is more than a 13-fold disparity. There was also a remarkable racial disparity, with a Black/White LVC ratio of 5. The male/female LVC ratio among Whites was over 2 1/2, but among Blacks it was over 4 times. Tri-modal peaks of LVC age distribution were noted, with the highest peak at ages 20-24, second peak at ages 80-84 and third peak at ages 0-4 years. Conclusion: The disparities in LVC victimization among NJ's 21 counties were as high as 13-fold. Mostly urbanized counties with a large city had higher rates of LVC than rural counties. Substantial racial disparities were noted. In the county where the state capital is located, the Black/White rate ratio disparity was 19-fold. The tri-modal age distribution is of concern. Law enforcement personnel, medical and health professionals practicing in NJ should be alert to demographic and geographic risk factors associated with LVC in this study.
Learning Objectives: To assess the racial disparities
Keywords: Violence, Ethnicity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.