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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Erica S. Gelven, MA, Garry Lapidus, PA-C, MPH, and Cheryl McCarter, BA. Injury Prevention Center, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106
The Connecticut Violent Death Reporting System (CVDRS) was developed as part of a collaborative effort coordinated by the National Violent Injury Statistics System (NVISS). As violent death (due to homicide, suicide or accident) is among the top 10 causes of death in Connecticut, CVDRS is integral to understanding and preventing violent death. This study analyzed comprehensive fatal firearm data and a sample of violent death data for 2000. Methods: Data on Connecticut firearm deaths (statewide) and violent deaths by other means in Hartford County during 2000 were collected from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and local law enforcement agencies, and analyzed for identification of descriptive variables, trends, and opportunities for intervention. Comparisons were then made between firearm and non-firearm fatalities in Hartford County. Additionally, data from violent deaths in 2001 from Connecticut and other NVISS sites will be included in the analysis. Results: Data were collected on 164 firearm fatalities (statewide) and 65 non-firearm fatalities (Hartford County). Suicide victims tended to be male (79%), white (71%), and evidence depression (44%) and serious physical illness (26%). Homicide victims tended to be male (74%), white (63%), and evidence interpersonal problems (47%). There were significant differences in certain circumstantial factors (i.e., blood alcohol content, previous suicide attempts) between the firearm and non-firearm fatalities that occurred in Hartford County in 2000. Conclusion: While trends within types of violent death were in the expected direction, there are commonalities associated with each type that suggest unique intervention strategies.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Violence, Surveillance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.