NCJ Number
176933
Journal
American Journal of Preventive Medicine Volume: 15 Issue: 3S Dated: October 1998 Pages: -
Editor(s)
R M Ikeda,
J A Mercy,
S P Teret
Date Published
1998
Length
126 pages
Annotation
In focusing on firearm-related injury surveillance, this special journal issue notes that injuries represent the leading cause of death for persons up to 34 years of age and that firearm injuries can be prevented in exactly the same way other injuries are prevented, through a public health approach.
Abstract
The issue indicates that injury surveillance is a critical first step in addressing any public health problem. The articles report specific progress that has been made in the surveillance of firearm injuries and provide background information on the need for injury surveillance. The articles also describe current systems of monitoring firearm injuries, the approach of linking surveillance to action at the local level, data collection variables, and challenges in implementing injury surveillance systems. In addition, the articles examine State firearm-related injury surveillance programs in California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Washington, and Wisconsin. Lessons learned from these programs are identified that can be adapted in the successful implementation of other firearm-related injury surveillance programs. The editors note that the problem of firearm injuries has become so polarized that the goal of preventing injuries and fatalities due to firearms is sometimes overlooked. References, tables, and figures