Detection of Suicide Clusters using Small-Area Geographic Data from the Virginia Violent Death Reporting System, 2010 - 2015.

Introduction: From 1999 to 2020, the suicide rate in Virginia increased from 13.1 to 15.9 per 100,000 persons aged 10 years and older. Few studies have examined spatial patterns of suicide geographies smaller than the county level. Methods: We analyzed data from suicide decedents aged ≥10 years from 2010 through 2015 in the Virginia Violent Death Reporting System. We identified spatial clusters of high suicide rates using spatially adaptive filtering with standardized mortality ratio (SMR) significantly higher than the state SMR (p < 0.001). We compared demographic characteristics, method of injury, and suicide circumstances of decedents within each cluster to decedents outside any cluster. Results: We identified 13 high-risk suicide clusters (SMR between 1.7 and 2.0). Suicide decedents in the clusters were more likely to be older (40+ years), non-Hispanic white, widowed/divorced/separated, and less likely to have certain precipitating suicide circumstances than decedents outside the clusters. Suicide by firearm was more common in four clusters, and suicide by poisoning was more common in two clusters compared to the rest of the state. Conclusions: There are important differences between geographic clusters of suicide in Virginia. These results suggest that place-specific risk factors for suicide may be relevant for targeted suicide prevention.

HIV Care Outcomes in Relation to Racial Redlining and Structural Factors Affecting Medical Care Access Among Black and White Persons with Diagnosed HIV-United States, 2017.

Black/African American (Black) versus White persons are unequally burdened by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States. Structural factors can influence social determinants of health, key components in reducing HIV-related health inequality by race. This analysis examined HIV care outcomes among Black and White persons with diagnosed HIV (PWDH) in relation to three structural factors: racial redlining, Medicaid expansion, and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) use. Using National HIV Surveillance System, U.S. Census, and Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data, we examined linkage to HIV care and viral suppression (i.e., viral load < 200 copies/mL) in relation to the structural factors among 12,996 Black and White PWDH with HIV diagnosed in 2017/alive at year-end 2018, aged ≥ 18 years, and residing in 38 U.S. jurisdictions with complete laboratory data, geocoding, and census tract-level redlining indexes. Compared to White PWDH, a lower proportion of Black PWDH were linked to HIV care within 1 month after diagnosis and were virally suppressed in 2018. Redlining was not associated with the HIV care outcomes. A higher prevalence of PWDH residing (v. not residing) in states with Medicaid expansion were linked to HIV care ≤ 1 month after diagnosis. A higher prevalence of those residing (v. not residing) in states with > 50% of PWDH in RWHAP had viral suppression. Direct exposure to redlining was not associated with poor HIV care outcomes. Structural factors that reduce the financial burden of HIV care and improve care access like Medicaid expansion and RWHAP might improve HIV care outcomes of PWDH.

Cross-sectional survey of SARS-CoV-2 testing at US airports and one health department's proactive management of travelers.

BACKGROUND: Many health departments and private enterprises began offering SARS-CoV-2 testing to travelers at US airports in 2020. Persons with positive SARS-CoV-2 test results who have planned upcoming travel may be subject to US federal public health travel restrictions. We assessed availability of testing for SARS-CoV-2 at major US airports. We then describe the management of cases and close contacts at Denver International Airport's testing site. METHODS: We selected 100 US airports. Online surveys were conducted during November-December 2020 and assessed availability of testing for air travelers, flight crew, and airport employees. Respondents included health department (HD) staff or airport directors. We analyzed testing data and management practices for persons who tested positive and their close contacts at one airport (Denver International) from 12/21/2020 to 3/31/2021. RESULTS: Among the 100 selected airports, we received information on 77 airports; 38 (49%) had a testing site and several more planned to offer one (N = 7; 9%). Most sites began testing in the fall of 2020. The most frequently offered tests were RT-PCR or other NAAT tests (N = 28). Denver International Airport offered voluntary SARS-CoV-2 testing. Fifty-four people had positive results among 5724 tests conducted from 12/21/2020 to 3/31/2021 for a total positivity of < 1%. Of these, 15 were travelers with imminent flights. The Denver HD issued an order requiring the testing site to immediately report cases and notify airlines to cancel upcoming flight itineraries for infected travelers and their traveling close contacts, minimizing the use of federal travel restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: As of December 2020, nearly half of surveyed US airports had SARS-CoV-2 testing sites. Such large-scale adoption of airport testing for a communicable disease is unprecedented and presents new challenges for travelers, airlines, airports, and public health authorities. This assessment was completed before the US and other countries began enforcing entry testing requirements; testing at airports will likely increase as travel demand returns and test requirements for travel evolve. Lessons from Denver demonstrate how HDs can play a key role in engaging airport testing sites to ensure people who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 immediately before travel do not travel on commercial aircraft.

Circumstances Associated With Suicides Among Females-16 States, United States, 2005-2016.

BACKGROUND: Suicide rates in the United States have been consistently increasing since 2005 and increasing faster among females than among males. Understanding circumstances related to the changes in suicide may help inform prevention programs. This study describes the circumstances associated with suicides among females in the United States using the National Violent Death Reporting System. METHODS: We analyzed the circumstances of suicides occurring from 2005 to 2016 in 16 states (Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin) among females aged 10 years and above. We compared the percentages of circumstances reported for the entire sample, by age group, and by race/ethnicity. Trends in changes in the leading circumstances were analyzed using Joinpoint regression. RESULTS: From 2005 to 2016, there were 27,809 suicides among females 10 years and older in the 16 states. Overall, the 2 leading precipitating circumstances were current mental health problem and ever treated for mental health problem. The leading circumstances differed by demographics. Joinpoint analysis showed inflection points in reports of job problems, financial problems, and non-intimate partner relationship problems during 2005-2009. During 2010-2016, downward inflections were seen in reports of job problems and financial problems and upward inflections in substance abuse problems and a recent or impending crisis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show changes by age group and race/ethnicity in the circumstances associated with suicides among females in the 16 states have occurred. Studying these shifts and identifying the most salient circumstances among female suicide decedents may help prevention programs adapt to different needs.

Surveillance for Violent Deaths - National Violent Death Reporting System, 34 States, Four California Counties, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 2017.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: In 2017, approximately 67,000 persons died of violence-related injuries in the United States. This report summarizes data from CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) on violent deaths that occurred in 34 states, four California counties, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in 2017. Results are reported by sex, age group, race/ethnicity, method of injury, type of location where the injury occurred, circumstances of injury, and other selected characteristics. PERIOD COVERED: 2017. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: NVDRS collects data regarding violent deaths obtained from death certificates, coroner and medical examiner reports, and law enforcement reports. This report includes data collected for violent deaths that occurred in 2017. Data were collected from 34 states (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin), four California counties (Los Angeles, Sacramento, Shasta, and Siskiyou), the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. NVDRS collates information for each death and links deaths that are related (e.g., multiple homicides, homicide followed by suicide, or multiple suicides) into a single incident. RESULTS: For 2017, NVDRS collected information on 45,141 fatal incidents involving 46,389 deaths that occurred in 34 states, four California counties, and the District of Columbia; in addition, information was collected on 961 fatal incidents involving 1,027 deaths in Puerto Rico. Data for Puerto Rico were analyzed separately. Of the 46,389 deaths in the 34 states, four California counties, and District of Columbia, the majority (63.5%) were suicides, followed by homicides (24.9%), deaths of undetermined intent (9.7%), legal intervention deaths (1.4%) (i.e., deaths caused by law enforcement and other persons with legal authority to use deadly force acting in the line of duty, excluding legal executions), and unintentional firearm deaths (<1.0%). (The term "legal intervention" is a classification incorporated into the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, and does not denote the lawfulness or legality of the circumstances surrounding a death caused by law enforcement.) Demographic patterns and circumstances varied by manner of death. The suicide rate was higher among males than among females and was highest among adults aged 45-64 years and ≥85 years and non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives and non-Hispanic Whites. The most common method of injury for suicide was a firearm among males and poisoning among females. Suicide was most often preceded by a mental health, intimate partner, or physical health problem or a recent or impending crisis during the previous or upcoming 2 weeks. The homicide rate was highest among persons aged 20-24 years and was higher among males than females. Non-Hispanic Black males had the highest homicide rate of any racial/ethnic group. The most common method of injury for homicide was a firearm. When the relationship between a homicide victim and a suspect was known, the suspect was most frequently an acquaintance or friend for male victims and a current or former intimate partner for female victims. Homicide most often was precipitated by an argument or conflict, occurred in conjunction with another crime, or, for female victims, was related to intimate partner violence. Among intimate partner violence-related homicides, the largest proportion occurred among adults aged 35-54 years, and the most common method of injury was a firearm. When the relationship between an intimate partner violence-related homicide victim and a suspect was known, most female victims were killed by a current or former intimate partner, whereas approximately half of male victims were killed by a suspect who was not their intimate partner. Almost all legal intervention deaths were among males, and the legal intervention death rate was highest among men aged 25-29 years. Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native males had the highest legal intervention death rate, followed by non-Hispanic Black males. A firearm was used in the majority of legal intervention deaths. When a specific type of crime was known to have precipitated a legal intervention death, the type of crime was most frequently assault/homicide. The most frequent circumstances for legal intervention deaths were reported use of a weapon by the victim in the incident and a mental health or substance use problem (other than alcohol use). Unintentional firearm deaths more frequently occurred among males, non-Hispanic Whites, and persons aged 15-24 years. These deaths most often occurred while the shooter was playing with a firearm and most frequently were precipitated by a person unintentionally pulling the trigger or mistakenly thinking the firearm was unloaded. The rate of death when the manner was of undetermined intent was highest among males, particularly among non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native males, and persons aged 30-34 years. Poisoning was the most common method of injury in deaths of undetermined intent, and opioids were detected in nearly 80% of decedents tested for those substances. INTERPRETATION: This report provides a detailed summary of data from NVDRS on violent deaths that occurred in 2017. The suicide rate was highest among non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic White males, whereas the homicide rate was highest among non-Hispanic Black males. Intimate partner violence precipitated a large proportion of homicides for females. Mental health problems, intimate partner problems, interpersonal conflicts, and acute life stressors were primary circumstances for multiple types of violent death. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION: NVDRS data are used to monitor the occurrence of violence-related fatal injuries and assist public health authorities in developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies to reduce and prevent violent deaths. For example, South Carolina VDRS and Colorado VDRS are using their data to support suicide prevention programs through systems change and the Zero Suicide framework. North Carolina VDRS and Kentucky VDRS data were used to examine intimate partner violence-related deaths beyond homicides to inform prevention efforts. Findings from these studies suggest that intimate partner violence might also contribute to other manners of violent death, such as suicide, and preventing intimate partner violence might reduce the overall number of violent deaths. In 2019, NVDRS expanded data collection to include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, providing more comprehensive and actionable violent death information for public health efforts to reduce violent deaths.

Shared correlates of prescription drug misuse and severe suicide ideation among clinical patients at risk for suicide.

OBJECTIVE: Unintentional drug overdose and suicide have emerged as public health problems. Prescription drug misuse can elevate risk of overdose. Severe suicidal ideation increases risk of suicide. We identified shared correlates of both risk factors to inform cross-cutting prevention efforts. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Military Suicide Research Consortium's Common Data Elements survey; 2012-2017 baseline data collected from 10 research sites were analyzed. The sample included 3962 clinical patients at risk of suicide. Factors examined in relation to the outcomes, prescription drug misuse and severe suicidal ideation, included demographic characteristics and symptoms of: hopelessness; anxiety; post-traumatic stress disorder; alcohol use; other substance use; prior head/neck injury; insomnia; and belongingness. Poisson regression models with robust estimates provided adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 97.5% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Medium and high (vs. low) levels of insomnia were positively associated with prescription drug misuse (aPRs p < 0.025). Medium (vs. low) level of insomnia was positively associated with severe suicidal ideation (aPR: 1.09; CI: 1.01-1.18). Medium and high (vs. low) levels of perceived belongingness were inversely associated with both outcomes (aPRs p < 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Research should evaluate whether addressing sleep problems and improving belongingness can reduce prescription drug misuse and suicidal ideation simultaneously.

Suicides Among Incarcerated Persons in 18 U.S. States: Findings From the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003-2014.

Using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (2003-2014), this study examined the characteristics and contributing circumstances of suicides in correctional facilities. χ2 and logistic regression analyses revealed that, compared to nonincarcerated suicide decedents, incarcerated suicide decedents had significantly lower odds of positive toxicology for substances but significantly higher odds of substance abuse problems. Descriptive subanalyses indicated that incarcerated suicide decedents often were incarcerated for personal crimes. They often died ≤ 1 week of incarceration, in a cell (frequently single-person or segregation), by hanging, using bedding material. Positive toxicology was more common for incarcerated decedents who died shortly after versus later in their incarceration. Findings highlight the need for enhanced detection and treatment of suicidal behavior, especially during early and vulnerable periods of incarceration.

Youth Suicide: An Opportunity for Prevention.

In the United States, youth suicide is a large and growing public health problem that contributes to health care costs, lost productivity, morbidity, and premature death. In 2017, an estimated 199,877 youths aged 10 to 24 years were treated in emergency departments in the United States for self-harm,1 and 7.4% of high school students reported that they attempted suicide one or more times in the past year.2 Suicide was the second leading cause of death among youths aged 10 to 24 years in 2017,1 and the suicide rate increased significantly for both male and female youths from 1999 to 2017.3.

Surveillance for Violent Deaths - National Violent Death Reporting System, 32 States, 2016.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: In 2016, approximately 65,000 persons died in the United States as a result of violence-related injuries. This report summarizes data from CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) regarding violent deaths from 32 U.S. states for 2016. Results are reported by sex, age group, race/ethnicity, type of location where injured, method of injury, circumstances of injury, and other selected characteristics. PERIOD COVERED: 2016. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: NVDRS collects data regarding violent deaths obtained from death certificates, coroner/medical examiner reports, law enforcement reports, and secondary sources (e.g., child fatality review team data, Supplementary Homicide Reports, hospital data, and crime laboratory data). This report includes data collected from 32 states for 2016 (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin). NVDRS collates information for each death and links deaths that are related (e.g., multiple homicides, homicide followed by suicide, or multiple suicides) into a single incident. RESULTS: For 2016, NVDRS captured 40,374 fatal incidents involving 41,466 deaths in the 32 states included in this report. The majority (62.3%) of deaths were suicides, followed by homicides (24.9%), deaths of undetermined intent (10.8%), legal intervention deaths (1.2%) (i.e., deaths caused by law enforcement and other persons with legal authority to use deadly force acting in the line of duty, excluding legal executions), and unintentional firearm deaths (<1.0%). (The term legal intervention is a classification incorporated into the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision [ICD-10] and does not denote the lawfulness or legality of the circumstances surrounding a death caused by law enforcement.) Demographic patterns varied by manner of death. Suicide rates were highest among males, non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives, non-Hispanic whites, adults aged 45-64 years, and men aged ≥75 years. The most common method of injury was a firearm among males and poisoning among females. Suicides were most often preceded by a mental health, intimate partner, substance abuse, or physical health problem or a recent or impending crisis during the previous or upcoming 2 weeks. Homicide rates were highest among males and persons aged <1 year and 15-44 years. Among males, non-Hispanic blacks accounted for most homicides and had the highest rate of any racial/ethnic group. The most common method of injury was a firearm. Homicides were most often precipitated by an argument or conflict, occurred in conjunction with another crime, or for females, were related to intimate partner violence. When the relationship between a homicide victim and a suspected perpetrator was known, the suspect was most frequently an acquaintance/friend among males and a current or former intimate partner among females. Legal intervention death rates were highest among men aged 20-44 years, and the rate among non-Hispanic black males was three times the rate among non-Hispanic white males. Precipitating circumstances for legal intervention deaths most frequently were an alleged criminal activity in progress, reported use of a weapon by the victim in the incident, a mental health or substance abuse problem (other than alcohol abuse), an argument or conflict, or a recent or impending crisis. Unintentional firearm deaths were more frequent among males, non-Hispanic whites, and persons aged 15-24 years. These deaths most often occurred while the shooter was playing with a firearm and most often were precipitated by a person unintentionally pulling the trigger or mistakenly thinking the firearm was unloaded. Rates of deaths of undetermined intent were highest among males, particularly non-Hispanic black and American Indian/Alaska Native males, and adults aged 25-64 years. Substance abuse, mental health problems, physical health problems, and a recent or impending crisis were the most common circumstances preceding deaths of undetermined intent. In 2016, a total of 3,655 youths aged 10-24 years died by suicide. The majority of these decedents were male, non-Hispanic white, and aged 18-24 years. Most decedents aged 10-17 years died by hanging/strangulation/suffocation (49.3%), followed by a firearm (40.4%), and suicides among this age group were most often precipitated by mental health, family relationship, and school problems. Most suicides among decedents aged 18-24 years were by a firearm (46.2%), followed by hanging/strangulation/suffocation (37.4%), and were precipitated by mental health, substance abuse, intimate partner, and family problems. A recent crisis, an argument or conflict, or both were common precipitating circumstances among all youth suicide decedents. INTERPRETATION: This report provides a detailed summary of data from NVDRS for 2016. Suicides rates were highest among non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native and white males, whereas homicide rates were highest among non-Hispanic black males. Mental health problems, intimate partner problems, interpersonal conflicts, and acute life stressors were primary precipitating events for multiple types of violent deaths, including suicides among youths aged 10-24 years. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION: NVDRS data are used to monitor the occurrence of violence-related fatal injuries and assist public health authorities in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies to reduce and prevent violent deaths. For example, Utah VDRS data were used to help identify suicide risk factors among youths aged 10-17 years, Rhode Island VDRS suicide data were analyzed to identify precipitating circumstances of youth suicides over a 10-year period, and Kansas VDRS data were used by the Kansas Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force. In 2019, NVDRS expanded data collection to include all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. This expansion is essential to public health efforts to reduce violent deaths.

Correlates of Intimate Partner Homicide among Male Suicide Decedents with Known Intimate Partner Problems.

OBJECTIVE: Intimate partner (IP) problems are risk factors for suicide among men. However, there is little understanding of why some male suicide decedents who had such problems killed their partners before death (i.e., "IP homicide-suicide"), while most of these decedents did not. To inform prevention efforts, this study identified correlates of IP homicide among male suicide decedents with known IP problems. METHODS: We examined IP homicide correlates among male suicide decedents aged 18+ years who had known IP problems using 2003-2015 National Violent Death Reporting System data. Prevalence odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for demographic, incident, and circumstance variables. IP homicide-suicide narratives were examined to identify additional prevention opportunities. RESULTS: An estimated 1,504 (5.0%) of 30,259 male suicide decedents who had IP problems killed their partner. IP homicide-suicide perpetration was positively correlated with suicide by firearm and precipitating civil legal problems but negatively correlated with mental health/substance abuse treatment. An estimated 33.7% of IP homicide-suicides occurred during a breakup; 21.9% of IP homicide-suicide perpetrators had domestic violence histories. CONCLUSIONS: Connections between the criminal justice and mental health systems as well as stronger enforcement of laws prohibiting firearm possession among domestic violence offenders may prevent IP homicide-suicides.

Nonfatal Assaults and Homicides Among Adults Aged ≥60 Years - United States, 2002-2016.

Since interpersonal violence was recognized as a public health problem in the 1970s, much attention has focused on preventing violence among young persons and intimate partners (1). Violence directed against older adults (≥60 years) has received less attention, despite the faster growth of this population than that of younger groups (2). Using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) and the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), CDC analyzed rates of nonfatal assaults and homicides against older adults during 2002-2016. Across the 15-year period, the nonfatal assault rate increased 75.4% (from 77.7 to 136.3 per 100,000) among men, and from 2007 to 2016, increased 35.4% (from 43.8 to 59.3) among women. From 2010 to 2016, the homicide rate increased among men by 7.1%, and a 19.3% increase was observed from 2013 to 2016 among men aged 60-69 years. Growth in both the older adult population and the rates of violence against this group, especially among men, suggests an important need for violence prevention strategies (3). Focusing prevention efforts for this population will require improved understanding of magnitude and trends in violence against older adults.

Surveillance for Violent Deaths - National Violent Death Reporting System, 27 States, 2015.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: In 2015, approximately 62,000 persons died in the United States as a result of violence-related injuries. This report summarizes data from CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) regarding violent deaths from 27 U.S. states for 2015. Results are reported by sex, age group, race/ethnicity, location of injury, method of injury, circumstances of injury, and other selected characteristics. REPORTING PERIOD: 2015. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: NVDRS collects data regarding violent deaths obtained from death certificates, coroner/medical examiner reports, law enforcement reports, and secondary sources (e.g., child fatality review team data, supplemental homicide reports, hospital data, and crime laboratory data). This report includes data from 27 states that collected statewide data for 2015 (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin). NVDRS collates documents for each death and links deaths that are related (e.g., multiple homicides, a homicide followed by a suicide, or multiple suicides) into a single incident. RESULTS: For 2015, NVDRS captured 30,628 fatal incidents involving 31,415 deaths in the 27 states included in this report. The majority (65.1%) of deaths were suicides, followed by homicides (23.5%), deaths of undetermined intent (9.5%), legal intervention deaths (1.3%) (i.e., deaths caused by law enforcement and other persons with legal authority to use deadly force, excluding legal executions), and unintentional firearm deaths (<1.0%). (The term "legal intervention" is a classification incorporated into the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision [ICD-10] and does not denote the lawfulness or legality of the circumstances surrounding a death caused by law enforcement.) Demographic patterns varied by manner of death. Suicide rates were highest among males, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Natives, non-Hispanic whites, adults aged 45-54 years, and men aged ≥75 years. The most common method of injury was a firearm. Suicides often were preceded by a mental health, intimate partner, substance abuse, or physical health problem, or a crisis during the previous or upcoming 2 weeks. Homicide rates were higher among males and persons aged <1 year and 20-34 years. Among males, non-Hispanic blacks accounted for the majority of homicides and had the highest rate of any racial/ethnic group. Homicides primarily involved a firearm, were precipitated by arguments and interpersonal conflicts, were related to intimate partner violence (particularly for females), or occurred in conjunction with another crime. When the relationship between a homicide victim and a suspected perpetrator was known, an acquaintance/friend or an intimate partner frequently was involved. Legal intervention death rates were highest among males and persons aged 20-54 years; rates among non-Hispanic black males were approximately double the rates of those among non-Hispanic white males. Precipitating circumstances for legal intervention deaths most frequently were an alleged criminal activity in progress, the victim reportedly using a weapon in the incident, a mental health or substance abuse problem (other than alcohol abuse), an argument or conflict, or a recent crisis (during the previous or upcoming 2 weeks). Unintentional firearm deaths were more frequent among males, non-Hispanic whites, and persons aged 10-24 years; these deaths most often occurred while the shooter was playing with a firearm and most often were precipitated by a person unintentionally pulling the trigger or mistakenly thinking the firearm was unloaded. Deaths of undetermined intent were more frequent among males, particularly non-Hispanic black and American Indian/Alaska Native males, and persons aged 30-54 years. Substance abuse, mental health problems, physical health problems, and a recent crisis were the most common circumstances preceding deaths of undetermined intent. In 2015, approximately 3,000 current or former military personnel died by suicide. The majority of these decedents were male, non-Hispanic white, and aged 45-74 years. Most suicides among military personnel involved a firearm and were precipitated by mental health, physical health, and intimate partner problems, as well as a recent crisis. INTERPRETATION: This report provides a detailed summary of data from NVDRS for 2015. The results indicate that deaths resulting from self-inflicted or interpersonal violence most frequently affect males and certain age groups and minority populations. Mental health problems, intimate partner problems, interpersonal conflicts, and general life stressors were primary precipitating events for multiple types of violent deaths, including suicides among current or former military personnel. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION: NVDRS data are used to monitor the occurrence of violence-related fatal injuries and assist public health authorities in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies to reduce and prevent violent deaths. For example, Virginia VDRS data are used to help identify suicide risk factors among active duty service members, Oregon VDRS suicide data are used to coordinate information and activities across community agencies that support veterans and active duty service members, and Arizona VDRS data are used to develop recommendations for primary care providers who deliver care to veterans. The continued development and expansion of NVDRS to include all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia are essential to public health efforts to reduce deaths due to violence.

Suicides Among American Indian/Alaska Natives - National Violent Death Reporting System, 18 States, 2003-2014.

Suicide disproportionately affects American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN). The suicide rate among AI/AN has been increasing since 2003 (1), and in 2015, AI/AN suicide rates in the 18 states participating in the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) were 21.5 per 100,000, more than 3.5 times higher than those among racial/ethnic groups with the lowest rates.* To study completed suicides across all ages of AI/AN, NVDRS data collected from 2003 to 2014 were analyzed by comparing differences in suicide characteristics and circumstances between AI/AN and white decedents. Group differences were assessed using chi-squared tests and logistic regression. Across multiple demographics, incident characteristics, and circumstances, AI/AN decedents were significantly different from white decedents. More than one third (35.7%) of AI/AN decedents were aged 10-24 years (versus 11.1% of whites). Compared with whites, AI/AN decedents had 6.6 times the odds of living in a nonmetropolitan area, 2.1 times the odds of a positive alcohol toxicology result, and 2.4 times the odds of a suicide of a friend or family member affecting their death. Suicide prevention efforts should incorporate evidence-based, culturally relevant strategies at individual, interpersonal, and community levels (2) and need to account for the heterogeneity among AI/AN communities (3,4).

The spatial epidemiology of pediatric trauma: A statewide assessment.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant advances in the prevention and treatment of pediatric trauma, preventable injuries continue to burden the lives of millions of children. To target prevention strategies, it is critical to identify areas with high burdens of pediatric trauma. Therefore, this study analyzed statewide data from the Ohio Trauma Registry from 2007 to 2012 to identify geographical patterns in pediatric injury. METHODS: Data from the first hospital of care for 16,330 pediatric trauma patients younger than 16 years were analyzed using the disease mapping method adaptive spatial filtering to estimate a series of maps that display age- and sex-adjusted rates of pediatric trauma, severe trauma, and standardized mortality ratios while controlling for population size to create stable estimates throughout the study area. The locations of all trauma centers were mapped to highlight access to trauma care. RESULTS: Areas with significantly higher than expected rates of severe injury were identified in nonurban areas, where children lacked timely access to a pediatric trauma center or Level I adult trauma center. Although highest standardized mortality ratios were in urban areas, nonurban areas experienced elevated mortality with rates over four times higher than expected. CONCLUSION: Areas with higher than expected age- and sex-adjusted rates of severe injury and mortality should be further explored to identify opportunities for injury prevention and appropriate access to timely care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiologic study, level III.

Characteristics of Traumatically Injured Pediatric Assault Patients: A Statewide Assesment in Ohio.

BACKGROUND: Assault is the most common form of intentional injury resulting in pediatric death. This large retrospective study analyzed statewide data from the Ohio Trauma Registry (87% of the state's hospitals) to describe risk factors of assault for pediatric trauma patients. METHODS: Of 16,938 pediatric trauma patients younger than 16 years in the state trauma registry, assault was identified in 758 patients. Patients with assault injuries and nonassault injuries were compared using χ2 tests. Multiple logistic regression evaluated associations between assault and mortality, adjusting for potential confounders. Results of the regression analyses are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Children younger than 1 year were 5 times more likely to be assaulted (OR, 5.34; 95% CI, 4.14-6.88) compared to children 14 to 15 years old, and black children had 3 times the risk compared to white children (OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 2.79-4.04). Children with government insurance were 3 times more likely to be assaulted compared to children with commercial insurance (OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 2.23-4.04). Assault victims were twice as likely arrive at the first hospital of care over 24 hours after injury (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.44-2.66). Assault victims were more likely to die after adjusting for injury severity. CONCLUSION: Assault victims experience delays in care and had twice the mortality rate after adjusting for injury severity. The worse outcomes for pediatric assault victims highlight the importance of accurately diagnosing and intervening.

The risk of midgut volvulus in patients with abdominal wall defects: A multi-institutional study.

BACKGROUND: The management of malrotation in patients with congenital abdominal wall defects has varied among surgeons. We were interested in investigating the risk of midgut volvulus in patients with gastroschisis and omphalocele to help determine if these patients may benefit from undergoing a Ladd procedure. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients managed at three institutions born between 1/1/2000 and 12/31/2008 with a diagnosis of gastroschisis or omphalocele. Patient charts were reviewed through 12/31/2012 for occurrence of midgut volvulus or need for second laparotomy. RESULTS: Of the 414 patients identified with abdominal wall defects, 299 patients (72%) had gastroschisis, and 115 patients (28%) had omphalocele. The mean gestational age at birth was 36.1±2.3weeks, and the mean birth weight was 2.57±0.7kg. There were a total of 8 (1.9%) cases of midgut volvulus: 3 (1.0%) patients with gastroschisis compared to 5 patients (4.4%) with omphalocele (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with omphalocele have a greater risk of developing midgut volvulus, and a Ladd procedure should be considered during definitive repair to mitigate these risks. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; retrospective comparative study.

Collaborative Development and Results of a Nigerian Trauma Registry.

BACKGROUND: More than 90% of injury-related deaths and disabilities occur in low- and middle-income countries. The development of the Nigerian Trauma Registry (NTR) and the first descriptive data analysis of the patient characteristics, mechanisms of injury, injury severity, and treatments are reported. METHODS: Existing data collection tools were modified to capture a minimum data set of variables reflective of the trauma experience in Nigeria. Data are collected using the secure, Web-based application, REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture). RESULTS: Two hospitals entered 564 patients into the registry. Motor vehicle accidents were the most frequently reported trauma (69.2%). Of the 51 fall injuries, 82% were from buildings. There were 229 mass casualties, including bus accidents (41.5%), bombings or blasts (28.8%), multiple vehicle accidents (23.6%), fires (3.1%), and civil conflicts or riots (3.1%). External soft tissue was the most commonly reported injury region followed by extremities, head and neck, face, abdomen, and thorax/spine. Only 18.1% of patients arrived by ambulance. There were 19 recorded in-hospital deaths and 79.0% of these were due to motor vehicle accidents. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest report of injury surveillance in this country. These data are essential to inform policy makers about the increasing trauma burden and provide a strong advocacy tool, prevention opportunities, provisions for unmet capacity needs, and better allocation of limited health care resources. The NTR has demonstrated that development and implementation of an electronic trauma registry is feasible in low- and middle-income countries. The NTR evolved through international collaborations that included a partnership with an American epidemiologist and 2 Nigerian hospitals that contributed their individual and institutional capabilities. Local champions are required to drive the initiation and implementation of registries.

Factors associated with patients transferred from undesignated trauma centers to trauma centers.

BACKGROUND: Timely access to the appropriate level of care, both in the prehospital and in the hospital setting, is necessary to optimize outcomes in severely injured pediatric trauma patients. However, a substantial portion of the pediatric population does not have adequate timely access to a verified Level 1 trauma center. This study aimed to identify significant predictors of in-hospital mortality and transfer to a higher level of care. This is the first statewide analysis that includes pediatric patients who are first seen at nontrauma centers (NTCs). METHODS: Mortality interhospital transfers to a higher level of care were analyzed for the first hospital of care. Clustering was accounted for by generalized estimating equations. p < 0.01 was considered significant. RESULTS: Younger age was significantly associated with mortality for all patients and with transfer for less severely injured children (Injury Severity Score [ISS] < 15). The odds of mortality in NTCs were lower than in Level 1 trauma centers; however, the majority of NTC patients were transferred, artificially decreasing NTC mortality. The type of trauma (blunt or penetrating) was significantly associated with both mortality and transfer for more severe cases. Although insurance was not significantly associated with transfer, self-pay patients had significantly higher mortality odds. CONCLUSION: The NTCs are transferring 98% of their patients, even those with very low ISS and high Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Further evaluation of the outcomes and characteristics of patients transferred from NTCs will provide important information to inform the triage guidelines to potentially safely avoid transfer of less severely injured patients from NTCs in their community. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV; epidemiologic/prognostic study, level III.

Vulnerability and chronic illness management in pediatric kidney and liver transplant recipients.

CONTEXT: Solid-organ transplant is the treatment of choice for end-stage organ failure and requires a transition from management of a life-threatening condition to a chronic illness. Despite research focusing on quality of life after transplant, there is a gap addressing the role of managing a chronic illness focusing on vulnerability and impact on family. OBJECTIVE: Identify patient and family patterns of adaptation among kidney and liver transplant recipients in regard to (1) vulnerability, (2) impact of illness on the family, (3) family functioning, and (4) quality of life (parent and child report). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study enrolling children 5 to 18 years old and their parent at a single time point after kidney or liver transplant. Validated self-report tools were completed. RESULTS: In all, 47 participants (24 kidney and 23 liver) were recruited. Mean age at transplant was 4.0 (kidney) and 2.1 (liver) years. Mean age at report was 12.1 (kidney) and 7.1 (liver) years. Child vulnerability correlated negatively with (1) family impact in the kidney (P < .05) and liver (P < .05) transplant groups, (2) PedsQL subscales including Parent Emotional (P< .05), Parent Social (P< .01), Parent Psychosocial (P < .01), Parent Physical (P < .05), Parent School (P < .05), and Child Social (P < .01) in the kidney transplant group, (3) PedsQL Parent Emotional subscale (P< .01) in the liver transplant group, and (4) Functional status (P < .01) in the liver transplant group. CONCLUSIONS: Child vulnerability provides insight into quality of life and the impact of illness on the family and family functioning.

The risk of volvulus in abdominal wall defects.

BACKGROUND: Congenital abdominal wall defects are associated with abnormal intestinal rotation and fixation. A Ladd's procedure is not routinely performed in these patients; it is believed intestinal fixation is provided by adhesions that develop post-repair of the defects. However, patients with omphalocele may not have adequately protective postoperative adhesions because of difference in the inflammatory state of the bowel wall and in repair strategy. The aim of this study is to describe the occurrence of midgut volvulus in patients with gastroschisis or omphalocele. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients managed in a single institution born between 1/1/2000 and 12/31/2008 with a diagnosis of gastroschisis or omphalocele. Patient charts were reviewed through 12/31/2012 for occurrence of midgut volvulus or need for second laparotomy. RESULTS: Of the 206 patients identified with abdominal wall defects, 142 patients (69%) had gastroschisis and 64 patients (31%) had omphalocele. Patients' follow up ranged from 4 years to 13 years. The median gestational age was 36 weeks (26-41 weeks) and the median birth weight was 2.42 kg (0.8-4.87 kg). None of the patients with gastroschisis developed midgut volvulus, however two patients (3%) with omphalocele developed midgut volvulus. CONCLUSIONS: No patients with gastroschisis developed midgut volvulus. Therefore, the current practice of not routinely performing a Ladd's procedure is a safe approach during surgical repair of gastroschisis. The two cases of volvulus in patients with omphalocele may be related to less bowel fixation. It is necessary to examine current practice in regards to the need for assessing the risk of volvulus during omphalocele closure and counseling of these patients. This assessment may be achieved via routine examination of the width of the small bowel mesenteric base, whenever feasible; however, the sample size is relatively small to draw any definitive conclusions.