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ATLANTA, Apr 25, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Data from Atlanta's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show higher rates of suicide and homicide rates in six reporting states from 2000 through 2003.
CDC established the National Violent Death Reporting System in 2003 to get a better picture of regional and national trends by collecting relevant state records in one place. The six states participating so far are Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina and Virginia.
Although the data is very limited, it indicates homicides increased 4 percent and suicides increased 5 percent between 2002 and 2003. Murder rates among males under age 25 were up 18 percent.
Information on the circumstances surrounding a death -- including depression, drug involvement and other circumstances -- are being collected to gain insight the causes of violent death and possible prevention strategies.
Plans are to expand the system to all 50 states. Information from Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Wisconsin will be reported later this year and data from California, Connecticut, Utah and New Mexico will become available next year.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
