Recorded presentation

Angela K. McGowan, JD, MPH, Community Guide Branch/DPRAM/EPO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, K-73, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-8210, amcgowan@cdc.gov, Alex Crosby, MD; MPH, Centers for Disease Control, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, LaMar Hasbrouck, MD, MPH, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS K-60, Atlanta, GA 30341, Noble A.-W. Maseru, PhD, MPH, Detroit Health Department, Herman Keifer Health Complex, 1151 Taylor Street, Detroit, MI 48202, and Matthew L. Boulton, MD, MPH, Bureau of Epidemiology, Michigan Department of Community Health, 3423 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Lansing, MI 48909.

Background: Violence and homicide remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth. During 2002, local media in Detroit, Michigan, reported increases in violent deaths among children and adolescents. An investigation was conducted to describe characteristics of the victims and determine if a true increase occurred.

Methods: A violent death was defined as a homicide, suicide, or any firearm-related death of a Detroit resident aged £16 years during 2002, as classified by the medical examiner (ME). Case finding involved reviewing ME records, death certificates, and police reports; additional data were obtained from the school system and state social service agency.

Results: Twenty-nine cases were identified. The median age was 10 years (range: 1 day--16 years), and 15 (52%) were male. The manner of death was homicide for 25 (86%) cases; two suicides and two unintentional firearm-related deaths were included. Among homicides, nine (36%) were bystander victims and eight (32%) were child abuse and neglect. The majority of victims lived in two-adult households (55%), and autopsy toxicology screening was negative for all 29 victims. The 2002 violent deaths did not represent a statistically significant increase from previous years, and Detroit¢s youth homicide rate was comparable to other similarly sized metropolitan areas.

Conclusions: Certain findings were remarkable: the proportion of deaths among bystanders, females, children aged <5 years and the absence of drugs. More commonly, youth homicides are predominantly male, involve older adolescents, peer interpersonal violence, and substance abuse. Future interventions should consider these newly identified groups.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, an attendee from this session will be able to

• Describe the pattern of violent youth deaths in Detroit, Michigan in 2002.
• Gain familiarity with some of the risk factors and protective factors associated with violent youth deaths.

Keywords: Youth Violence, Homicide

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.

Recorded presentation