Citation

Stone DM, Holland KM, Bartholow B, Logan J, LiKamWa McIntosh W, Trudeau A, Rockett IRH. Am. J. Public Health 2017; 107(8): 1233-1239.

Affiliation

Deborah M. Stone, Kristin M. Holland, Brad Bartholow, Joseph Logan, Wendy LiKamWa McIntosh, and Aimee Trudeau are with the Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Ian R. H. Rockett is with the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, and the Injury Control Research Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2017.303863

PMID

28640689

Abstract

Manner of death (MOD) classification (i.e., natural, accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined cause) affects mortality surveillance and public health research, policy, and practice. Determination of MOD in deaths caused by drug intoxication is challenging, with marked variability across states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hosted a multidisciplinary meeting to discuss drug intoxication deaths as they relate to suicide and other MOD. The meeting objectives were to identify individual-level, system-level, and place-based factors affecting MOD classification and identify potential solutions to classification barriers. Suggested strategies included improved standardization in death scene investigation, toxicology, and autopsy practice; greater accountability; and creation of job aids for investigators. Continued collaboration and coordination of activities are needed among stakeholders to affect prevention efforts. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print June 22, 2017: e1-e7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.303863).

Language: en