Scales of geography, time, and population: the study of violence as a public health problem.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, data on violent deaths in the Bronx, New York City, from the 1970, 1980, and 1990 censuses were analyzed.


METHODS
The incidence and areal density of intentional deaths were mapped by health area. Simple and stepwise regressions between violent death measures and other factors were performed.


RESULTS
The incidence of deaths at levels of those in the highest 1970 quintile spread so that by 1990 only 2 areas saw incidences at levels of the lowest 1970 quintile. Overcrowding, socioeconomic status, population, population change, and drug deaths in simple regressions and overcrowding, socioeconomic status, and low-weight births in stepwise regressions correlated significantly with violent death incidence or density.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the spatiotemporal development of violence can contribute to public policy on violence.
Wallace
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Public Interest Scientific Consulting, New York, NY 10027, USA. rdwall@ix.netcom.com
Wallace
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R
D019352:Censuses; D003441:Crowding; D006798:Housing / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D011158:Population Growth; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011634:Public Health / Q000639:trends*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000639:trends*; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000639:trends*