Homicide rates among persons aged 10-24 years - United States, 1981-2010

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2013 Jul 12;62(27):545-8.

Abstract

Homicide disproportionately affects persons aged 10-24 years in the United States and consistently ranks in the top three leading causes of death in this age group, resulting in approximately 4,800 deaths and an estimated $9 billion in lost productivity and medical costs in 2010. To investigate trends in homicide among persons aged 10-24 years for the period 1981-2010, CDC analyzed National Vital Statistics System data on deaths caused by homicide of persons in this age group and examined trends by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and mechanism of injury. This report describes the results of that analysis, which indicated that homicide rates varied substantially during the study period, with a sharp rise from 1985 to 1993 followed by a decline that has slowed since 1999. During the period 2000-2010, rates declined for all groups, although the decline was significantly slower for males compared with females and for blacks compared with Hispanics and persons of other racial/ethnic groups. By mechanism of injury, the decline for firearm homicides from 2000 to 2010 was significantly slower than for nonfirearm homicides. The homicide rate among persons aged 10-24 years in 2010 was 7.5 per 100,000, the lowest in the 30-year study period. Primary prevention strategies remain critical, particularly among groups at increased risk for homicide.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • Cause of Death / trends*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Firearms / statistics & numerical data
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data
  • Homicide / ethnology
  • Homicide / trends*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • United States / epidemiology
  • White People / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult