Use of national data systems for firearm-related injury surveillance.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of federal data systems that report national data on fatal and nonfatal firearm-related injuries and associated risk factors and behaviors.


RESULTS
There are 13 federal data systems that provide useful information for national surveillance of firearm-related injuries in the United States. Each data system has useful features and limitations. Each provides a different methodologic approach to capture data for monitoring and characterizing firearm-related deaths or injuries, or behavioral risks associated with unintentional and violent events.


CONCLUSIONS
Although much progress has been made over the past decade to improve national data on firearm-related injuries, many gaps still remain. A mechanism is needed to better coordinate and integrate federal efforts to collect, analyze, and disseminate data on firearm-related injury.
Annest
J L
JL
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724, USA.
Mercy
J A
JA
D019352:Censuses; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003644:Death Certificates; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009309:National Center for Health Statistics, U.S.; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; D016495:Police; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*