The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70409

James. H Price, PhD, MPH¹, Amy Thompson, MS&Ed¹, and Joseph A. Dake, PhD, MPH². (1) Department of Public Health, University of Toledo, 2801 West Bancroft, Toledo, OH 43606, (419) 530-4180, jprice@utnet.utoledo.edu, (2) Department of HPER - Matthaei, Wayne State University, 424 west summit st, Detroit, MI 48202

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the relationship of 16 variables (firearm prevalence, firearm dealers, alcohol consumption, urbanization, violent crime, poverty, unemployment, college educated, African American, Hispanic, and five categories of gun laws) with state variations in homicide, suicide, and unintentional injury deaths.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 1999 data from the Statistical Abstract of the Unites States, WISQUAR, Firearms Law Center, the National Rifle Association, U.S. Department of Justice, ATF, FS/S firearm ownership prevalence was utilized. Adjusted partial correlations coefficients were calculated to assess the independent relationships of each of the 16 variables with state variations in firearm mortality. Significance level was set at (p< .05) for all analyses.

Results: State level firearm homicide rates significantly varied by percent of the population which was African American and by the prevalence of firearms. State level variations in firearm suicide mortality significantly) varied by firearm variance, per capita alcohol consumption, and percent of the population which was African American. None of the variables examined were significant for unintentional firearm mortality.

Conclusions: State gun laws had no significant effect on any of the three forms of firearm deaths. Although the current study cannot determine causation, firearm mortality in its various forms was most commonly associated with the prevalence of firearms and the percent of the population that was African American

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• Identify the factors associated with state variations in firearm homicide rates.
• Identify the factors associated with state variations in firearm suicide rates.
• Identify the factors associated with state variations in firearm unintentional injury rates.

Keywords: Homicide, Firearms

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.