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

Abstract #117917

Chyvette T. Williams, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, 3641 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-746-3172, chyvette@wharton.upenn.edu, Douglas J. Wiebe, PhD, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, 933 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021, and Charles Branas, PhD, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, Room 829 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021.

Background: Neighborhood environments provide a social context that may influence incidence of firearm violence and may help explain racial differences in risk for interpersonal violence. The purpose of this study is to examine both individual-level and contextual-level explanations for racial differences in interpersonal gun victimization in Philadelphia.

Methods: Using data from a random sample (N=503) of all cases of gun violence in Philadelphia in 2004, we sought to examine variables that might explain differences in African-American versus white shooting victimization. Sociodemographic data were collected for all cases, in addition to information on alcohol consumption at the time of shooting, intent of shooting, and the point location and context in which the shooting occurred. Sociodemographic factors, alcohol consumption, shooting intent and various neighborhood characteristics were modeled to explain observed racial differences.

Results: African-Americans represented 81% of interpersonal shooting victims, with 84% of all victims and African-American victims being male. Age and intent of shooting were significantly related to racial differences in victimization; however, number of alcoholic beverages consumed was not. Geographic analysis of shootings indicated that both African-American and white shootings occurred in areas with higher levels of illicit drug arrests and higher poverty. Racial differences in interpersonal violence significantly reflected the respective predominant racial composition of the neighborhood.

Conclusion: Understanding the causes of racial differences in shooting victimizations represents an important area of research for eliminating health disparities. Results from this study suggest that the context in which shootings occur can offer valuable insight over and above individual explanations.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize racial disparities in firearm violence as a serious public health concern.
• Understand context as a contributing factor to violence

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.