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Abstract
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VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this report in MMWR was to discuss homicide trends among young black males in the United States from 1970-1982. The report identified trends and characteristics within this high-risk group that would enable the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to accomplish their goal of substantially reducing the homicide rate among blacks by 1990.
METHODOLOGY:
A non-experimental discussion of homicide trends among blacks in the U.S. from 1970-1982 was employed.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The authors reported that the U.S. Department of Health had established an objective for the nation to substantially reduce the homicide rate among young black males between the ages of 15-24 to a level below 60/100,000 compared to the 1978 rate of 72.5/100,000 by 1990. To illustrate the importance of the objective the authors reported on the homicide trends among blacks from 1970-1982. It was noted that for that period homicide was the leading cause of death for black males aged 15-24 in the U.S. This rate was six times the rate for white males in the same age group. While there was a significant difference in the rates by race it was reported that the rate for blacks was decreasing while the rate for whites was increasing.
The authors also noted that the homicide rates among blacks varied by region. The homicide rates were higher in the north-central states and lower in the western states. The differences in rates were smaller in the 1980's than in the 1970's due to a steep decline in the rates in the south and northeast, and only a small decline in the west. The homicide rates also noted to be higher in metropolitan areas for both blacks and whites. The metropolitan rates for blacks were twice the rates of non-metropolitan homicide rates; the rates for whites were just under twice the non-metropolitan rates.
Homicides among blacks were generally committed with a gun (71.1% of all weapons), most of which were handguns. Similarly, 67.0% of white homicides were committed with a gun. Most of the homicides among blacks were during or after arguments or non felony circumstances, with only a small portion (11.2%) occurring in connection with drug trafficking or robberies; the patterns were similar for whites.
Most black homicide victims were killed by acquaintances(46.2%), followed by strangers (19.9%) as the second most common group, then by family members (7.7%). Rates for whites were similar with a smaller proportion of the homicides committed by acquaintances and a slightly larger proportion committed by strangers.
It was also noted that in 1980, homicide was the leading cause of death for black males from the ages of 25-34 in the U.S. Further, black males had higher homicide rates than any other race or sex group. Black females aged 20-39 had higher rates than white males and white females in the same age group.
The authors concluded that the causes for the homicide patterns was unknown but that prevention and research were essential to lessening the problem.
AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS:
The authors recommended that research and prevention focus on the high-risk groups, with specific attention to the circumstances, weapons, and the relationships associated with the homicides. In addition, the authors suggested that the public should be made aware of the consequences and risks of violence, the steps that could be taken to prevent violence, as well as the available resources for dealing with violence. It was also stated that federal, state and local authorities including health, social and law enforcement agencies should work together toward a more comprehensive preventative strategy against homicide. Moreover, data collection was suggested as a necessary tool for the study and prevention of homicide, and interpersonal violence. The authors also asserted that data on the topic of homicide would enable policy makers and researchers to assess the impact of the problem, determine the quantity and type of resources needed to respond to the problem, and to track the effectiveness of prevention strategies.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
KW - 1970s
KW - 1980s
KW - Homicide Rates
KW - Homicide Trends and Patterns
KW - Homicide Victim
KW - Juvenile Victim
KW - Young Adult
KW - Adult Victim
KW - Juvenile Male
KW - Adult Male
KW - Male Victim
KW - Minority Group
KW - African American Adult
KW - African American Juvenile
KW - African American Victim
KW - African American Male
KW - Victimization Trends and Patterns |