Faculty Collaboration Database

The burden of suicide and homicide of Wisconsin's children and youth. WMJ 2005 Jan;104(1):62-7

Date

03/23/2005

Pubmed ID

15779728

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-12844257558 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   3 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of violent deaths (suicides and homicides) of children and youth in Wisconsin.

METHODS: Linked data from death certificates, coroners or medical examiners, Uniform Crime Reports, police case reports and crime laboratories were analyzed using SPSS 11.5. Analyses from 2000 to 2002 describe suicides and homicides of children and youth under age 25. Rates are per 100,000 population per year.

RESULTS: A total of 585 persons under age 25 in Wisconsin died from suicide or homicide during 2000--2002. Suicides outnumbered homicides 323 (55%) to 262 (45%). Firearms were involved in 59% (n=344) of cases. Fatality rates increased with advancing age, ranging from 2.0 in 0-13 year olds to 26.9 in youth age 21-24. There were over twice as many violent deaths compared to cancer and infectious disease deaths combined (n=253).

CONCLUSION: Suicides and homicides are a significant burden on the children and youth of Wisconsin. An investment in reducing this burden requires comprehensive data and informed programs and policies. We recommend that physicians and public health community leaders collaborate with the criminal justice community and policy makers to develop, implement, and evaluate prevention programs and policies.

Author List

Shiffler T, Hargarten SW, Withers RL

Author

Stephen W. Hargarten MD, MPH Professor in the Emergency Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Homicide
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Suicide
Wisconsin