Socio-demographic and psychosocial characteristics of male and female perpetrators in intimate partner homicide: A case-control study from Region Västra Götaland, Sweden.

Risk factor studies on male-perpetrated intimate partner homicide (IPH) are often compared with studies on intimate partner violence (IPV) or non-partner homicide perpetrators. This not only excludes female perpetrators, but also fails to take socio-demographic and psychosocial differences between perpetrators and the general population into consideration. The aim of this study was to examine male- and female-perpetrated IPH cases, and to compare socio-demographic factors in IPH perpetrators and in matched controls from the general population. Data were retrieved from preliminary inquiries, court records and national registers for 48 men and 10 women, who were perpetrators of IPH committed in 2000-2016 and residing in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden. The control group consisted of 480 men and 100 women matched for age, sex and residence parish. Logistic regression, yielding odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), was performed for male perpetrators and male controls to investigate associations for selected socio-demographic and psychosocial characteristics. This was not performed for females due to the small sample size. Female perpetrators were convicted of murder to a lesser extent than male perpetrators. No woman was sentenced to life imprisonment while five men were. Jealousy and separation were the most common motivational factors for male perpetration while the predominant factor for female perpetrators was subjection to IPV. Statistically significant differences were found between male perpetrators and male controls in unemployment rate (n = 47.9%/20.6%; OR 4.4; 95% CI 2.2-8.6), receiving benefits (n = 20.8%/4.8%; OR 5.2; 95% CI 2.3-11.7) and annual disposable income (n = 43.8%/23.3% low income; OR 5.2; 95% CI 1.9-14.2) one year prior to the crime. Female IPH perpetrators were less educated than female controls (≤ 9-year education 30%/12%) and were more often unemployed (70%/23%) one year before the crime. Male and female IPH perpetrators were socio-economically disadvantaged, compared with controls from the general population.

Variation in Non-external and External Causes of Death in Peru in Relation to the COVID-19 Lockdown.

Introduction: Lockdowns are designed to slow COVID-19 transmission, but they may have unanticipated relationships with other aspects of public health. Assessing the overall pattern in population health as a country implements and relaxes a lockdown is relevant, as these patterns may not necessarily be symmetric. We aimed to estimate the changing trends in cause-specific mortality in relation to the 2020 COVID-19 related lockdowns in Peru. Methods: Based on data from the Peruvian National Death Information System (SINADEF), we calculated death rates per 10 million population to assess the trends in mortality rates for non-external and external causes of death (suicides, traffic accidents, and homicides). We compared these trends to 2018-2019, before, during, and after the lockdown, stratified by sex, and adjusted by Peruvian macro-region (Lima & Callao (capital region), Coast, Highland, and Jungle). Results: Non-external deaths presented a distinctive pattern among macro-regions, with an early surge in the Jungle and a later increase in the Highland. External deaths dropped during the lockdown, however, suicides and homicides returned to previous levels in the post-lockdown period. Deaths due to traffic accidents dropped during the lockdown and returned to pre-pandemic levels by December 2020. Conclusions: We found a sudden drop in external causes of death, with suicides and homicides returning to previous levels after the lifting of the lockdown. Non-external deaths showed a differential pattern by macro-region. A close monitoring of these trends could help identify early spikes among these causes of death and take action to prevent a further increase in mortality indirectly affected by the pandemic.

The Legal and Empirical Case for Firearm Purchaser Licensing.

This article argues that state government actors concerned about gun violence prevention should prioritize enactment of robust firearm purchaser regimes at the state level. First, the article outlines the empirical evidence base for purchaser licensing. Then, the article describes how state governments can design this policy. Next, the article assesses the likelihood that purchaser licensing legislation will continue to be upheld by federal courts. Finally, the article addresses the implications of this policy, aimed at curbing gun deaths, for equally important racial justice priorities. Taken together, these various considerations indicate that purchaser licensing policies are among the most effective firearm-focused laws state governments can enact to reduce gun deaths within the existing federal legislative and legal frameworks.

Characteristics of Intimate Partner Homicide in China: Compared With Previous Studies in Other Countries.

Advancing towards modernization and urbanization, China is currently witnessing a soaring increase in intimate partner homicide (IPH). The present study sought to explore the characteristics of IPHs in China. Data from 979 judgments of this lethal serious crime were analyzed. In comparison with studies from other parts of the world, this study determined the characteristics of IPHs in China in terms of perpetrators, victims, incidents, and types of intimate relationships. Although the previous theoretical research has given reasonable explanations for IPHs, the relationship between perpetrator and victim is actually a neglected area in the study of IPHs. In this study, we found that the relationship between them played a leading role in understanding IPHs in China.

Austerity policies in Brazil may affect violence related outcomes / Políticas de austeridade no Brasil podem afetar os desfechos relacionados à violência

Abstract Economic crisis is often managed with austerity policies. These measures seem to burden the population disproportionately, with the poorer being more affected. This paper aims to investigate health outcomes performance after the recent Brazilian crisis and gauge whether that pattern also emerged. Public domain data from 2010 to 2017 was used, and it was found that suicide and homicide rates increased after 2014, while mortality by road traffic injuries decreased at the same time. Furthermore, these trends were exacerbated in the North and Northeast regions and in the municipalities with the poorest quintiles of Human Development Index (HDI). The austerity policies followed by the Brazilian economic crisis may have influenced the mortality trends due to external causes, with a possible stronger impact in the North and Northeast regions and among less developed municipalities.

Resumo Crises econômicas são comumente administradas com políticas de austeridade. Estas medidas atingem a população de modo desproporcional, sendo os mais pobres os mais afetados. Este artigo pretende investigar a performance dos desfechos de saúde após a crise econômica recente e avaliar se o padrão de desproporcionalidade também ocorreu no Brasil. Dados públicos de 2010 a 2017 foram utilizados e encontramos que suicídios e taxas de homicídios aumentaram depois de 2014, enquanto mortalidade por acidentes de trânsito diminuíram. Além disto, estas tendências foram exacerbadas no Norte e no Nordeste e em municípios no quintil mais pobre em termos de Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH). As políticas de austeridade que se seguiram à crise econômica brasileira podem ter influenciado a tendência de mortalidade por causas externas, com um possível maior impacto no Norte e no Nordeste e em municípios menos desenvolvidos.

Austerity policies in Brazil may affect violence related outcomes.

Economic crisis is often managed with austerity policies. These measures seem to burden the population disproportionately, with the poorer being more affected. This paper aims to investigate health outcomes performance after the recent Brazilian crisis and gauge whether that pattern also emerged. Public domain data from 2010 to 2017 was used, and it was found that suicide and homicide rates increased after 2014, while mortality by road traffic injuries decreased at the same time. Furthermore, these trends were exacerbated in the North and Northeast regions and in the municipalities with the poorest quintiles of Human Development Index (HDI). The austerity policies followed by the Brazilian economic crisis may have influenced the mortality trends due to external causes, with a possible stronger impact in the North and Northeast regions and among less developed municipalities.

The Impact of State Firearm Laws on Homicide Rates among Black and White Populations in the United States, 1991-2016.

This study aimed to investigate the potential differential effects of state-level firearm laws on black and white populations. Using a panel design, authors examined the relationship between state firearm laws and homicide victimization rates among white people and black people in 39 states during the period between 1991 and 2016. Authors modeled homicide rates using linear regression with year and state fixed effects and controlled for a range of time-varying, state-level factors. Results showed that universal background check laws and permit requirement laws were associated with lower homicide rates among both white and black populations, and "shall issue" laws were associated with higher homicide rates among both white and black populations. Laws that prohibit firearm possession among people convicted of a violent misdemeanor or require relinquishment of firearms by people with a domestic violence restraining order were associated with lower black homicide rates, but not with white homicide rates. Author identification of heterogeneity in the associations between state firearm laws and homicide rates among different racial groups has implications for reducing racial health disparities.

[Socioeconomic factors associated with the death rate by homicide in Colombia, 2000-2014]. / Factores socioeconómicos asociados con la mortalidad por homicidios en Colombia, 2000-2014.

The scope of this paper was to analyze the trends, impact on life expectancy and effect of the main associated socioeconomic factors with the death rate by homicide in Colombia between 2000 and 2014 at the state level, by gender and age groups. Standardized mortality rates and years of life lost among those under 85 years of age were calculated and multivariate regression analysis was performed using negative binomial fixed effects regression models with panel data to analyze the associated socioeconomic factors with the incidence of homicide. The reduction of the death rate by homicide in Colombia was corroborated, which was generalized at state level, though it did not occur homogenously. A higher mortality risk was found among males, particularly between 15 and 49 years of age. Economic growth and inequality were negatively associated with death rates by homicide; unemployment was positively associated; and poverty had no effect on the mortality rate. Investigating the main associated factors with homicidal violence is complex, but is indispensable due to its impact on economic and social development, given that it mainly affects the population of productive age, with broad public health consequences and at a high cost to healthcare services.

El objetivo fue analizar la tendencia, impacto en la esperanza de vida y efecto de los principales factores socioeconómicos asociados con la mortalidad por homicidios en Colombia entre 2000-2014 a nivel departamental, por sexo y grupos de edad. Se calcularon tasas estandarizadas de mortalidad, años de vida perdidos en menores de 85 años de edad y un análisis de regresión múltiple, ocupando modelos de regresión binomial negativa de datos panel de efectos fijos para analizar los factores socioeconómicos asociados con la incidencia de homicidios. Se corroboró la disminución de la mortalidad por homicidios en Colombia, la cual se dio de forma generalizada a nivel departamental, pero no fue homogénea. Se observó un mayor riesgo de fallecer en hombres de 15-49 años de edad. El crecimiento económico y la desigualdad se asociaron negativamente con la tasa de homicidios; el desempleo lo hizo de manera positiva; y la pobreza no tuvo un efecto significativo. Investigar los factores asociados con la violencia homicida es complejo, pero indispensable debido al impacto que tiene en el desarrollo económico y social, ya que afecta mayormente a la población en edades productivas, con amplias consecuencias en salud pública y altos costos de atención de los servicios de salud.

Factores socioeconómicos asociados con la mortalidad por homicidios en Colombia, 2000-2014 / Socioeconomic factors associated with the death rate by homicide in Colombia, 2000-2014

Resume El objetivo fue analizar la tendencia, impacto en la esperanza de vida y efecto de los principales factores socioeconómicos asociados con la mortalidad por homicidios en Colombia entre 2000-2014 a nivel departamental, por sexo y grupos de edad. Se calcularon tasas estandarizadas de mortalidad, años de vida perdidos en menores de 85 años de edad y un análisis de regresión múltiple, ocupando modelos de regresión binomial negativa de datos panel de efectos fijos para analizar los factores socioeconómicos asociados con la incidencia de homicidios. Se corroboró la disminución de la mortalidad por homicidios en Colombia, la cual se dio de forma generalizada a nivel departamental, pero no fue homogénea. Se observó un mayor riesgo de fallecer en hombres de 15-49 años de edad. El crecimiento económico y la desigualdad se asociaron negativamente con la tasa de homicidios; el desempleo lo hizo de manera positiva; y la pobreza no tuvo un efecto significativo. Investigar los factores asociados con la violencia homicida es complejo, pero indispensable debido al impacto que tiene en el desarrollo económico y social, ya que afecta mayormente a la población en edades productivas, con amplias consecuencias en salud pública y altos costos de atención de los servicios de salud.

Abstract The scope of this paper was to analyze the trends, impact on life expectancy and effect of the main associated socioeconomic factors with the death rate by homicide in Colombia between 2000 and 2014 at the state level, by gender and age groups. Standardized mortality rates and years of life lost among those under 85 years of age were calculated and multivariate regression analysis was performed using negative binomial fixed effects regression models with panel data to analyze the associated socioeconomic factors with the incidence of homicide. The reduction of the death rate by homicide in Colombia was corroborated, which was generalized at state level, though it did not occur homogenously. A higher mortality risk was found among males, particularly between 15 and 49 years of age. Economic growth and inequality were negatively associated with death rates by homicide; unemployment was positively associated; and poverty had no effect on the mortality rate. Investigating the main associated factors with homicidal violence is complex, but is indispensable due to its impact on economic and social development, given that it mainly affects the population of productive age, with broad public health consequences and at a high cost to healthcare services.

The Impact of the Homicide Decline on Life Expectancy of African American Males.

Homicide is a leading cause of death for young people in the United States aged 15-34, but it has a disproportionate impact on one subset of the population: African American males. The national decline in homicide mortality that occurred from 1991 to 2014 thus provides an opportunity to generate evidence on a unique question-How do population health and health inequality change when the prevalence of one of the leading causes of death is cut in half? In this article, we estimate the impact of the decline in homicide mortality on life expectancy at birth as well as years of potential life lost for African American and white males and females, respectively. Estimates are generated using national mortality data by age, gender, race, and education level. Counterfactual estimates are constructed under the assumption of no change in mortality due to homicide from 1991 (the year when the national homicide rate reached its latest peak) to 2014 (the year when the homicide rate reached its trough). We estimate that the decline in homicides led to a 0.80-year increase in life expectancy at birth for African American males, and reduced years of potential life lost by 1,156 years for every 100,000 African American males. Results suggest that the drop in homicide represents a public health breakthrough for African American males, accounting for 17 % of the reduction in the life expectancy gap between white and African American males.

Mortality from Homicides in Slums in the City of Belo Horizonte, Brazil: An Evaluation of the Impact of a Re-Urbanization Project.

Background: Homicide rates in Brazil are among the highest worldwide. Although not exclusive to large Brazilian cities, homicides find their most important determinants in cities' slums. In the last decade, an urban renewal process has been initiated in the city of Belo Horizonte, in Brazil. Named Vila Viva project, it includes structuring urban interventions such as urban renewal, social development actions and land regularization in the slums of the city. This study evaluates the project's effect on homicide rates according to time and interventions. Methods: Homicide rates were analyzed comparing five slums with interventions (S1⁻S5) to five grouped non-intervened slums (S0), with similar socioeconomic characteristics from 2002 to 2012. Poisson regression model estimates the effect of time of observation and the effect of time of exposure (in years) to a completed intervention, besides the overall risk ratio (RR). Results: Using the time of observation in years, homicide rates decreased in the studied period and even more if considered cumulative time of exposure to a completed intervention for S1, S2, S3 and S4, but not for S5. Conclusions: Although the results of the effect of the interventions are not repeated in all slums, a downward trend in homicide rates has been found, which is connected to the interventions. New approaches could be necessary in order to verify the nexus between slum renewal projects and the reduction of homicide rates.

Trends in avoidable mortality over the life course in Mexico, 1990-2015: a cross-sectional demographic analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse average lifespan and quantify the effect of avoidable/amenable mortality on the difference between state-specific mortality and a low-mortality benchmark in Mexico during 1990-2015. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional demographic analysis using aggregated data. SETTING: Vital statistics from the Mexican civil registration system. PARTICIPANTS: Aggregated national data (from 91.2 million people in 1995 to 119.9 in 2015) grouped in 64 populations (32 Mexican states (including Mexico City) by sex) with cause-of-death data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cause-specific contributions to the gap in life expectancy with a low-mortality benchmark in three age groups (0-14, 15-49 and 50-84 years). RESULTS: Infants and children under the age of 15 years show improvements towards maximal survival in all states. However, adult males aged 15 to 49 years show deterioration after 2006 in almost every state due to increasing homicides, and a slow recovery thereafter. Out of 35 potential years, females and males live on average 34.57 (34.48 to 34.67) and 33.80 (33.34 to 34.27), respectively. Adults aged 50 to 84 years show an unexpected decrease in the low mortality benchmark, indicating nationwide deterioration among older adults. Females and males in this age group show an average survival of 28.59 (27.43 to 29.75) and 26.52 (25.33 to 27.73) out of 35 potential years, respectively. State gaps from the benchmark were mainly caused by ischaemic heart diseases, diabetes, cirrhosis and homicides. We find large health disparities between states, particularly for the adult population after 2005. CONCLUSIONS: Mexico has succeeded in reducing mortality and between-state inequalities in children. However, adults are becoming vulnerable as they have not been able to reduce the burden of violence and conditions amenable to health services and behaviours, such as diabetes, ischaemic heart diseases and cirrhosis. These trends have led to large health disparities between Mexican states in the last 25 years.

Austrian firearm legislation and its effects on suicide and homicide mortality: A natural quasi-experiment amidst the global economic crisis.

BACKGROUND: Restriction of access to suicide methods has been shown to effectively reduce suicide mortality rates. AIMS: To examine how the global economic crisis of 2008 and the firearm legislation reform of 1997 affected suicide and homicide mortality rate within Austria. METHODS: Official data for the years 1985-2016 for firearm certificates, suicide, homicide, unemployment rates and alcohol consumption were examined using auto regressive error and Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Firearm certificates, total suicide mortality rate, suicide and homicides by firearms, and the fraction of firearm suicides/homicides among all suicides/homicides decreased after the firearm legislation reform in 1997. However, significant trend changes can be observed after 2008. The availability of firearm certificates significantly increased and was accompanied by significant changes in trends of firearm suicide and homicide rates. Concurrently, the total suicide mortality rate in 2008, for the first time since 1985, stopped its decreasing trend. While the total homicide rate further decreased, the fraction of firearm homicides among all homicides significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The initially preventative effect of the firearm legislation reform in Austria in 1997 seems to have been counteracted by the global economic downturn of 2008. Increased firearm availability was associated with corresponding increases in both firearm suicide and firearm homicide mortality. Restrictive firearm legislation should be an imperative part of a country's suicide prevention programme. Although firearm legislation reform may have long-lasting effects, societal changes may facilitate compensatory firearm acquisitions and thus counteract preventive efforts, calling in turn again for adapted counter-measures.

[Mortality from assault in young men in Brazil, 2010-2014: an ecological study]. / Mortalidade de homens jovens por agressões no Brasil, 2010-2014: estudo ecológico.

The aim was to analyze the association between risk of death from assault in young males and socio-demographic characteristics in Brazilian municipalities. In this ecological study, the units of analysis were the 1,651 municipalities of Brazil with more than 20,000 inhabitants. Data were obtained from the Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM) and indicators were obtained from the 2010 Population Census and Human Development Atlas. Mortality rate ratios were estimated by a negative binomial regression model. From 2010 to 2014, a total of 127,137 deaths from assault were reported in young males 15 to 29 years of age. Corrected mortality rate was 133.3/100 thousand inhabitants for the set of municipalities (median 71.5/100 thousand inhabitants). The rate increased with the municipalities' population size. In the adjusted model, higher rates ratios were observed in the more urbanized municipalities (1.95; 95%CI: 1.70-2.23), in intermediate categories of income inequality (1.10; 95%CI: 1.01-1.20) and poverty rate (1.69; 95%CI: 1.51-1.89), with lower proportion of youth attending Secondary School (2.05; 95%CI: 1.83-2.30), with higher proportion of unemployed youth 18 to 24 years of age (1.27; 95%CI: 1.16-1.40), and with more women than men (1.28; 95%CI: 1.05-1.58). Mortality from assault was high in young Brazilian men, especially in larger and more urbanized municipalities and those with a higher proportion of youth looking for work and not attending secondary school. The results show the relevance of social policies for dealing with violence against youth.

O objetivo foi analisar a associação entre o risco de morte por agressões em jovens do sexo masculino e características sociodemográficas dos municípios brasileiros. Estudo ecológico tendo como unidades de análise os 1.651 municípios com mais de 20.000 habitantes. Foram utilizados dados do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) e indicadores obtidos do Censo Demográfico 2010 e do Atlas do Desenvolvimento Humano no Brasil. Razões de taxas de mortalidade foram estimadas por modelo de regressão binomial negativa. No período de 2010-2014, foram registrados 127.137 óbitos por agressão a jovens de 15-29 anos de idade do sexo masculino. A taxa corrigida de mortalidade foi 133,3/100 mil habitantes no conjunto dos municípios (mediana 71,5/100 mil habitantes). A taxa foi maior à medida que aumentou o porte populacional dos municípios. Razões de taxas mais elevadas no modelo ajustado foram observadas nos municípios mais urbanizados (1,95; IC95%: 1,70-2,23), em categorias intermediárias de desigualdade de renda (1,10; IC95%: 1,01-1,20) e proporção de pobreza (1,69; IC95%: 1,51-1,89), com menor proporção de jovens frequentando o Ensino Médio (2,05; IC95% 1,83-2,30), maior proporção de jovens de 18-24 anos desocupados (1,27; IC95%: 1,16-1,40) e maior número de mulheres em relação ao de homens (1,28; IC95% 1,05-1,58). A mortalidade de jovens do sexo masculino por agressão foi elevada, especialmente nos municípios maiores, mais urbanizados e com maior proporção de jovens buscando emprego e fora do ensino médio. Evidencia-se a relevância das políticas sociais para o enfrentamento da violência entre jovens.

El objetivo fue analizar la asociación entre el riesgo de muerte por agresiones en jóvenes del sexo masculino y características sociodemográficas de los municipios brasileños. Estudio ecológico teniendo como unidades de análisis los 1.651 municipios con más de 20.000 habitantes. Se utilizaron datos del Sistema de Información sobre Mortalidad (SIM) e indicadores obtenidos del Censo Demográfico 2010 y del Atlas de Desarrollo Humano. Las razones de tasas de mortalidad se estimaron por el modelo de regresión binomial negativa. En el período de 2010-2014, se registraron 127.137 óbitos por agresión a jóvenes de 15-29 años de edad del sexo masculino. La tasa corregida de mortalidad fue de 133,3/100 mil habitantes en el conjunto de los municipios (mediana 71,5/100 mil habitantes). La tasa fue mayor, a medida que aumentó el porte poblacional de los municipios. Razones de tasas más elevadas en el modelo ajustado se observaron en los municipios más urbanizados (1,95; IC95%: 1,70-2,23), en categorías intermedias de desigualdad de renta (1,10; IC95%: 1,01-1,20) y proporción de pobreza (1,69; IC95%: 1,51-1,89), con menor proporción de jóvenes frecuentando la Enseñanza Media (2,05; IC95%: 1,83-2,30), mayor proporción de jóvenes de 18-24 años desocupados (1,27; IC95%: 1,16-1,40) y mayor número de mujeres en relación a hombres (1,28; IC95%: 1,05-1,58). La mortalidad de jóvenes del sexo masculino por agresión fue elevada, especialmente en los municipios mayores, más urbanizados y con mayor proporción de jóvenes buscando empleo y fuera de la enseñanza media. Se evidencia la relevancia de las políticas sociales para el enfrentamiento de la violencia entre jóvenes.

Mortalidade de homens jovens por agressões no Brasil, 2010-2014: estudo ecológico / Mortality from assault in young men in Brazil, 2010-2014: an ecological study / Mortalidad de hombres jóvenes por agresiones en Brasil, 2010-2014: estudio ecológico

O objetivo foi analisar a associação entre o risco de morte por agressões em jovens do sexo masculino e características sociodemográficas dos municípios brasileiros. Estudo ecológico tendo como unidades de análise os 1.651 municípios com mais de 20.000 habitantes. Foram utilizados dados do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) e indicadores obtidos do Censo Demográfico 2010 e do Atlas do Desenvolvimento Humano no Brasil. Razões de taxas de mortalidade foram estimadas por modelo de regressão binomial negativa. No período de 2010-2014, foram registrados 127.137 óbitos por agressão a jovens de 15-29 anos de idade do sexo masculino. A taxa corrigida de mortalidade foi 133,3/100 mil habitantes no conjunto dos municípios (mediana 71,5/100 mil habitantes). A taxa foi maior à medida que aumentou o porte populacional dos municípios. Razões de taxas mais elevadas no modelo ajustado foram observadas nos municípios mais urbanizados (1,95; IC95%: 1,70-2,23), em categorias intermediárias de desigualdade de renda (1,10; IC95%: 1,01-1,20) e proporção de pobreza (1,69; IC95%: 1,51-1,89), com menor proporção de jovens frequentando o Ensino Médio (2,05; IC95% 1,83-2,30), maior proporção de jovens de 18-24 anos desocupados (1,27; IC95%: 1,16-1,40) e maior número de mulheres em relação ao de homens (1,28; IC95% 1,05-1,58). A mortalidade de jovens do sexo masculino por agressão foi elevada, especialmente nos municípios maiores, mais urbanizados e com maior proporção de jovens buscando emprego e fora do ensino médio. Evidencia-se a relevância das políticas sociais para o enfrentamento da violência entre jovens.

The aim was to analyze the association between risk of death from assault in young males and socio-demographic characteristics in Brazilian municipalities. In this ecological study, the units of analysis were the 1,651 municipalities of Brazil with more than 20,000 inhabitants. Data were obtained from the Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM) and indicators were obtained from the 2010 Population Census and Human Development Atlas. Mortality rate ratios were estimated by a negative binomial regression model. From 2010 to 2014, a total of 127,137 deaths from assault were reported in young males 15 to 29 years of age. Corrected mortality rate was 133.3/100 thousand inhabitants for the set of municipalities (median 71.5/100 thousand inhabitants). The rate increased with the municipalities' population size. In the adjusted model, higher rates ratios were observed in the more urbanized municipalities (1.95; 95%CI: 1.70-2.23), in intermediate categories of income inequality (1.10; 95%CI: 1.01-1.20) and poverty rate (1.69; 95%CI: 1.51-1.89), with lower proportion of youth attending Secondary School (2.05; 95%CI: 1.83-2.30), with higher proportion of unemployed youth 18 to 24 years of age (1.27; 95%CI: 1.16-1.40), and with more women than men (1.28; 95%CI: 1.05-1.58). Mortality from assault was high in young Brazilian men, especially in larger and more urbanized municipalities and those with a higher proportion of youth looking for work and not attending secondary school. The results show the relevance of social policies for dealing with violence against youth.

El objetivo fue analizar la asociación entre el riesgo de muerte por agresiones en jóvenes del sexo masculino y características sociodemográficas de los municipios brasileños. Estudio ecológico teniendo como unidades de análisis los 1.651 municipios con más de 20.000 habitantes. Se utilizaron datos del Sistema de Información sobre Mortalidad (SIM) e indicadores obtenidos del Censo Demográfico 2010 y del Atlas de Desarrollo Humano. Las razones de tasas de mortalidad se estimaron por el modelo de regresión binomial negativa. En el período de 2010-2014, se registraron 127.137 óbitos por agresión a jóvenes de 15-29 años de edad del sexo masculino. La tasa corregida de mortalidad fue de 133,3/100 mil habitantes en el conjunto de los municipios (mediana 71,5/100 mil habitantes). La tasa fue mayor, a medida que aumentó el porte poblacional de los municipios. Razones de tasas más elevadas en el modelo ajustado se observaron en los municipios más urbanizados (1,95; IC95%: 1,70-2,23), en categorías intermedias de desigualdad de renta (1,10; IC95%: 1,01-1,20) y proporción de pobreza (1,69; IC95%: 1,51-1,89), con menor proporción de jóvenes frecuentando la Enseñanza Media (2,05; IC95%: 1,83-2,30), mayor proporción de jóvenes de 18-24 años desocupados (1,27; IC95%: 1,16-1,40) y mayor número de mujeres en relación a hombres (1,28; IC95%: 1,05-1,58). La mortalidad de jóvenes del sexo masculino por agresión fue elevada, especialmente en los municipios mayores, más urbanizados y con mayor proporción de jóvenes buscando empleo y fuera de la enseñanza media. Se evidencia la relevancia de las políticas sociales para el enfrentamiento de la violencia entre jóvenes.

Prospective Prediction of Juvenile Homicide/Attempted Homicide among Early-Onset Juvenile Offenders.

While homicide perpetrated by juveniles is a relatively rare occurrence, between 2010 and 2014, approximately 7%-8% of all murders involved a juvenile offender. Unfortunately, few studies have prospectively examined the predictors of homicide offending, with none examining first-time murder among a sample of adjudicated male and female youth. The current study employed data on 5908 juvenile offenders (70% male, 45% Black) first arrested at the age of 12 or younger to prospectively examine predictors of an arrest for homicide/attempted homicide by the age of 18. Among these early-onset offenders, males, Black youth, those living in households with family members with a history of mental illness, those engaging in self-mutilation, and those with elevated levels of anger/aggression (all measured by age 13) were more likely to be arrested for homicide/attempted homicide by age 18. These findings add to the scant scientific literature on the predictors of homicide, and illustrate potential avenues for intervention.

Distinctive injury deaths: the role of environment, policy and measurement across states.

BACKGROUND: Maps identifying the most distinctive feature of each state have become popular on social media, but may also have important public health applications. A map identifying the most distinctive injury death in each state could be a useful tool for policymakers, enabling them to identify potential gaps in prevention efforts. OBJECTIVE: To identify the most distinctive cause of injury death in each state and explore potential reasons for the geographical variation. METHODS: The Centers for Disease Control Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System was used to identify the injury death for each state with a rate which was the largest multiple of the national rate. Analyses were conducted with and without inclusion of 'indefinite' codes, which include injury causes of death of undetermined intent, unspecified person killed in a motor vehicle crash (MVC; vehicle occupant, cyclist, pedestrian, etc) or unspecified injury. RESULTS: Noteworthy patterns included seven states in Appalachia and the Southeast with high relative rates of unintentional firearm deaths (2.14-4.06 times the national average) and five states on the West Coast with high relative rates of legal intervention deaths (1.76-3.49 times the national average). Sensitivity analyses indicated that use of 'undetermined intent' classifications and the level of detail in coding MVCs vary substantially by state. CONCLUSIONS: These analyses highlight potential areas for prevention, such as promotion of safe storage laws in states with relatively high rates of unintentional firearm deaths and areas where standardisation of cause of death codes could be improved.

Survey of medico-legal investigation of homicide in the region of Epirus (Northwest Greece).

This study analyzed the forensic features of homicides in North-West Greece (Epirus) from 1998 to 2013, a borderland area between Greece and Albania. Although Greece is critically influenced by both the increasing flow of refugees and the current socioeconomic crisis, very little information has been published regarding the patterns of homicide in the country. Fifty-eight autopsied victims (36 males; 22 females) were investigated. The median age was 37 years old. The average annual homicide rate was 0.85 per 100,000 inhabitants and showed remarkable fluctuation, with largest increase during Greek financial downturn. Sixteen victims were not Greek citizens. The most common method of commitment was the use of firearm (40%). The main motives were economical causes (26%) and passion (14%). Four cases were categorized as matricide (7%), 3 as homicide-suicide (5%), 2 as patricide (3%) and 1 as infanticide (2%). Toxicological analysis proved negative for ethanol and other psychotropic substances in the majority of the victims (50%). There is an urgent need for public actions both in Epirus and in Greece, with the application of effective strategies against criminality.