title: [Mortality by homicides in Colombia, 1998-2012].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Homicide is a universal indicator of social violence with large public health consequences.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe mortality by homicides and to analyze its trends and geographic distribution in Colombia between 1998 and 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a descriptive study of deaths by homicide in Colombia between 1998 and 2012 using official mortality databases and the population projections of the Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística, DANE. We calculated age- and sex-specific mortality rates, and we analyzed the geographical distribution of mean-adjusted homicide mortality rates at municipal level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 1998 and 2012, 331,470 homicides were reported in Colombia. The mean crude rate was 51.5 per 100,000 inhabitants: 95.9 in men and 8.2 in women. Since 2003, a decrease in the number of deaths and rates was observed; 91.9% of the victims were men and the highest mortality rates were reported in the 20-29 years old group. The most frequently involved mechanism was the firearm: Eight of 10 homicides in men, and seven of 10 homicides in women. Out of 1,122 municipalities, 186 were in the highest quintile, accumulating 50.1% of all deaths.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Colombia, homicides have been one of the leading causes of death with a trend towards reduction since 2002. Its geographical distribution has been heterogeneous. To continue addressing this public health issue we must recur to multidisciplinary analytical methodologies for a better understanding of the phenomenon.
authors.affiliation: Observatorio Nacional de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia. pechaparro@yahoo.es.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chaparro-Narváez
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cotes-Cantillo
authors.forename: Willian
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: León-Quevedo
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castañeda-Orjuela
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D062306:Geography, Medical; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Colombia; Homicide; mortality/registries; vital statistics