Trends in homicide in Wisconsin, 1985-1998.
OBJECTIVE
To explore homicide trends for Wisconsin over the period 1985-1998 and assess the state's progress towards meeting its year 2000 health objectives.


METHODS
Wisconsin and US homicide data from the Centers for Disease Control's Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) were analyzed for the period 1985-1998.


RESULTS
Homicide rates in Wisconsin rose 54% between 1985 and 1995, but since that year, a sharp reverse in trends since has erased three-fourths of the increase. While Wisconsin rates for 1998 remain 15% above their 1985 levels, US rates peaked in 1991 and have since fallen to 12% below their 1985 levels. When compared to 1985, Wisconsin homicide rates for 1998 were 24% lower among whites, but 16% higher among blacks.


CONCLUSIONS
Wisconsin failed to achieve its year 2000 objective for homicide reductions, with rates remaining over 80% above the state goal. Though Wisconsin's current homicide rate is nearly half the US average, recent reductions in Wisconsin homicide have lagged behind those observed nationally.
Insinga
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University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Preventive Medicine, WARF Building, Room 753, 610 Walnut St, Madison, WI 53705-2397, USA. rpinsinga@students.wisc.edu
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Schwamman
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006292:Health Priorities; D006708:Homicide / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D044469:Racial Groups; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology