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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Nikolay Lipskiy, PhD and Lawrence Barker, PhD. Etiology and Surveillance Branch, CDC, NCIPC, Division of Violence Prevention, 2939 Flowers Road South, Koger Center, Vanderbilt Building, MS K-60, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-1306, dgz1@cdc.com

Violence among youth: 2003-2004 results from the National Violent Deaths Reporting System (NVDRS) Learning Objective: To identify factors contributing to violent deaths of youth age 15-24 years. Purpose: In 2003, homicide was the second leading cause of death among youth age 15-24 years. This study identifies factors associated with youth homicide. Methods: NVDRS is a population-based system that collects data on violent deaths from multiple sources, such as death certificates, police reports, and others. We analyzed homicide deaths of youth from states participating in NVDRS in 2003 and/or 2004. Results: In 2003-2004, youth homicides accounted for 28% of the total homicides. The homicide rate for youth (11.1 per 100,000 population, 95% CI 10.4, 11.8) was more than twice that of the general population. Males were more than six times as likely to be victims as females, and the homicide rate for African American youth was almost ten times that of white youth. Firearms deaths were more common among youths than in other age groups. About 70% of the suspects in youth homicides were in the same age group. Suspects were most often acquaintances or friends (39.6%), strangers (21.2%), or persons in an intimate relationship with the victim (14.8%). Among those victims tested for alcohol or marijuana, about a third were positive. Drug involvement was a factor in about a fifth of the deaths. Conclusions: Awareness of risk factors for and circumstances associated with youth homicides will aid in the design of interventions to prevent youth homicides.

Learning Objectives:

• To evaluate factors contributing to violent deaths of youth (age 15-24 years).

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered