Youth violence surveillance: Four perspectives

Although rates of interpersonal violence among youth 15 to 24 years of age appear to have peaked in recent years, it still remains one of the greatest threats to the health of young people, nationally, and in all states and counties. Between 1999-2005, Nashville/Davidson County had the 10th highest homicide rate for youth 15-24 years of age (NCHS). During this period, the risk of homicide for youth 15 to 24 years of age in Davidson County's was 4.55 times higher than that for the rest of the US (95% Confidence Interval = 3.92, 5.29). However, homicides are only one indicator of the overall prevalence of youth violence in a community. Rates of youth violence from death certificate data were compared with three other data sets: violent crime arrests, hospital discharge, and the Youth Risk Behavior System (YRBS). Results across data sets showed consistent racial and gender differences. A review of data collection methods and results for each of the data sets revealed a different story about youth violence. While the data sets are not directly comparable, taken together they provide a more comprehensive picture of youth violence than any individual one. Strengths and weaknesses of each of the data sets and of this approach are described. Implications for youth violence surveillance are discussed.