Oral

Violent deaths are important public health problems in the United States. For example, in 2004, homicides and suicides accounted for 17,357 and 32,439 total deaths and were respectively the 2nd and 3rd leading causes of death for those aged 10-34 years. To better understand violent deaths, the risk factors, and subsequently develop successful prevention programs, program practitioners need data sources, such as surveillance systems, that include a broad spectrum of information. The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) is a public health surveillance system that collects information on violent deaths (homicides, suicides, deaths of undetermined intent, deaths by legal intervention, and unintentional firearm-related deaths) in 17 participating U.S. states. NVDRS links data from multiple source documents (e.g. death certificates, coroner and medical examiner records, police reports, and crime lab data) to capture details on victim and suspect characteristics, victim-perpetrator relationships, event and environmental characteristics (e.g., place/date of injury and death), and preceding circumstances (e.g., motives). The purpose of this session is to: (1) inform a general public health audience why obtaining this detailed information is essential for violent death prevention efforts; (2) describe how NVDRS is structured to collect this information; (3) show recent findings from studies using NVDRS data; and (4) describe how these findings and other findings from NVDRS have influenced or can influence policy and practice. This session is intended to increase awareness about the value of collecting detailed information on violent deaths and how this information is essential to focusing prevention efforts and policies.

Session Objectives: 1. Identify circumstances leading to homicides and suicides in the United States 2. Characterize homicides and suicides among the homeless and homicides with female suspects 3. Describe how violent death surveillance can influence public health policy and practice

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing