Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109407

Jodi Hackworth, MPH¹, Xun Shen, MPH², Heather McCabe, JD, MSW¹, Lori Lovett, MSEd¹, John Aumage, BS¹, Joseph O'Neil, MD¹, and Marilyn Bull¹. (1) Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children, Rm 0903, 702 Barnhill Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-278-7726, jlhackwo@iupui.edu, (2) Injury Prevention and Epidemiology, Oregon Department of Human Services, 800 NE Oregon St. Suite 772., Indianapolis, IN 97232

Firearm violence is the leading cause of injury death in Marion County (Indianapolis), Indiana. Indiana's overall firearm death rates have surpassed national averages for the past decade.

The Indiana Partnership to Prevent Firearm Violence, a program of the Indiana University School of Medicine views data collection and surveillance as an integral component to addressing firearm violence from a public health perspective.

This presentation will explain the firearm injury and death surveillance system in Indiana, which has been in place since 2000 and collects hospital emergency room data, coroner data, and police data for all gunshot injuries and deaths that occur in Marion County.

Specific epidemiological data related to multiple victim incidents in Marion County in 2002 will be highlighted. Nearly one of five gunshot wounds resulted from an assault related to a multiple injury incident. Other characteristics surrounding these incidents will be shared.

Information on database design, matching and linking techniques, and specific data elements will also be highlighted. Security of data including the use of identifiers and HIPPA requirements will also be summarized. The presentation will also emphasize why this type of data surveillance is important for community resource allocation and development of prevention strategies.

Learning Objectives:

1.Recognize that firearm injury is a public health problem in Marion County (Indianapolis), Indiana. 2.Discuss the importance of maintaining a data surveillance system of gunshot injuries and deaths. 3.Learn about the data elements and data linking techniques necessary for a beneficial surveillance system.
• Discuss how data surveillance can impact resource allocation and development of prevention strategies.
• Summarize multiple victim gunshot data and the circumstances surrounding those incidents in Marion county.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation