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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Edward M. Castillo, MPH, Leslie Upledger Ray, MA, MPPA, Alan M Smith, MPH, Barbara M Stepanski, MPH, and Patricia M Murrin, RN, MPH. Health and Human Services Agency, Division of Emergency Medical Services, County of San Diego, 6255 Mission Gorge Rd, San Diego, CA 92120, (619) 285-6429, ecast2he@co.san-diego.ca.us
Objectives: Charting the geographical distribution of firearm deaths has been underutilized. This study examines the geographic distribution of homicides and suicides associated with firearms in a large metropolitan area. Methods: Firearm homicide and suicide data from 1988-1999 were derived from county medical examiner autopsy records. Population estimates were based on 1990 census and adjusted annually by zip code. A geographic information system (GIS) and spatial analytic methods, including K-Function, Weighted K-Function, and Local Gi* Statistic, were used to describe the spatial patterns of firearm deaths. Results: Of all violent deaths, 3600 (53.6%) were attributed to a firearm, which included 1599 homicides and 2001 suicides. Homicide victims were younger, had a lower income, and lived in more densely populated areas than suicide victims. There were more clusters of homicides than of suicides, but these clusters were restricted to a smaller region of the county. Suicide clusters were found in a larger range of socioeconomic status communities. After controlling for population density, areas with a high concentration of homicides were still apparent, while this was not the case for suicides. Conclusions: Firearm suicides are a function of the population density whereas firearm homicides are related to other aspects of the population, such as socioeconomic factors. The findings of this study are important for prevention planning efforts in addition to providing support for the need of ongoing geographical surveillance of firearm deaths.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Firearms, Death
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.