Association Between Child Fatalities and Housing and Demographic Characteristics in Tennessee Neighborhoods

Reducing child fatalities is a public health priority. In 2003, the United States child fatality death rate was reported as 65.9 per 100,000. Tennessee had an even higher rate of 83.5 per 100,000.This study focused on addressing whether housing and demographic characteristics of heads of households in Tennessee neighborhood census tracts are associated with the rate of child fatalities (violent, accidental, and natural) reported in Tennessee from 1996-2003. Reported child fatalities were analyzed to determine if the rate of reported child fatalities was positively associated with housing and demographic characteristics reported in each Tennessee neighborhood. Spearman Rho Correlations and Chi-Square statistical tests were used as well as an assessment of the difference between observed and expected child fatalities in a neighborhood. Housing characteristics assessed included: vacancy status, household size, and urban location. Demographic characteristics assessed included the percentage of female, single,Hispanic, and Non-white heads of households in a census tract using the 2000 United States Census and child fatalities reported in Tennessee from 1996-2003. Results indicated neither single heads of households nor Spanish/Hispanic/Latino heads of households were positively associated with violent or natural child fatalities. The percent of rental housing and household size were found to have a weak positive association with the rate of child fatalities reported in a neighborhood. Vacant housing status and average household size were weakly positively associated with accidental child fatalities. The percent of non-white heads of households in a census tract was found to have a weak positive association with Tennessee violent child fatalities.