Citation

Farchi S, Molino N, Giorgi Rossi P, Borgia P, Krzyzanowski M, Dalbokova D, Kim R, Working Group ER. MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 1994; 43(3): 37-42.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, (in public domain), Publisher U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8283963

Abstract

Injury is the leading cause of death for persons aged 1-44 years in the United States. More than half (55%) of all injury-related deaths are caused by motor vehicles and firearms. Although the number of deaths from motor-vehicle crashes has exceeded those from firearms, since 1968, differences in the number of deaths have declined: from 1968 through 1991, motor-vehicle-related deaths decreased by 21% (from 54,862 to 43,536) while firearm-related deaths increased by 60% (from 23,875 to 38,317). Based on these trends, by the year 2003, the number of firearm-related deaths will surpass the number of motor-vehicle crashes, and firearms will become the leading cause of injury-related death (Figure 1). This report compares trends and patterns of deaths resulting from firearm- and motor-vehicle-related injuries in the United States from 1968 through 1991.