The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48360

M. Patricia West, MSSW, Public Heatlh Consultation, 2134 Spring St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-568-7811, westvernon@cs.com, Alex Kelter, DHS-CDIC, DHS-CDIC, Mail Station 39A, PO Box 942732, Sacramento, CA 94234, and Caroline G. West, MA, MPAff, Research and Evaluation, Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, 260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

Determining the real role of violence and abuse against women in premature mortality is very difficult. Most domestic violence death review teams examine intimate partner deaths known to have been homicide or suicide. Many women have been victims, even though their partner did not "pull the trigger". In absence of legislation, but with a four year history of strong collaboration in the Child Death Review Team, the Philadelphia Women's Death Review Team was launched in 1997. Using a public health-focused process, approximately 1300 death certificates a year (women aged 15 - 60, Philadelphia residents) are screened by a clinical screening committee and about 30% of the total are referred to the full team for a systematic review about a year after the death. Deaths referred to the full team for review include: homicides, suicides, drug overdoses, and deaths which appear to be result of long history of substance abuse or HIV. Inadequate death certificates where cause of death is unclear and death occurred at home are also referred to the team. The team has been able to match on about 65% of the deaths referred for review. This presentation will discuss outcomes of this process and pros and cons of taking this approach.

Learning Objectives: The objectives of this presentation are

• to report on the outcomes of women’s death review,
• discuss pros and cons of this approach from epidemiological perspective, and
• review funding strategies

Keywords: Family Violence, Maternal and Child Health

Related Web page: www.phila.gov/health/units/decywh/pdf/wdrtreport.pdf

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.