The burden of suicide and homicide of Wisconsin's children and youth.
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Shiffler
Thomas
T
Firearm Injury Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
Hargarten
Stephen W
SW
Withers
Richard L
RL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology