http://www.usatoday.com/news/ndsmon10.htm
07/24/00- Updated 09:23 PM ET
Firearm deaths among children drops 10%
By John Tuohy, USA TODAY
The number of youths killed by gunshot wounds in the nation decreased 10% in 1998 compared
with the year before, double the decrease of gun deaths among the population at large. The
drop-off continues a four-year trend. Between 1994 and 1998, gun deaths for youths under 20
declined 35%, according to mortality data released by the centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
In 1998, 3,792 youths died from guns compared with 4,223 in 1997. In 1994 the number of
youth handgun victims was 5,833. Translated, that means an average 10 youths a day were dying
of gunshots in 1998 vs. 16 a day in 1994.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala says the decline shows “violence
prevention programs are working,’’ but adds, “we still have far to go to protect our young
people.’’ Gun deaths include homicides, suicides and accidents. Gun-related homicides among
young people declined 14% and accidents dropped 14%, but suicides decreased only 1.7% from
1997 to 1998.
CDC spokesman Jeff Lancashire says a number of possible factors, including a better economic
climate, may have led to the decreases. High profile shooting tragedies also may have contributed,
he says. “There might be more public awareness about safety.’’
Naomi Paiss, a spokesperson for Handgun Control, says she is optimistic that tougher gun laws
in several states have contributed to the decline. “We haven’t gotten much help on the federal
level but several states are taking action with cap laws and gun tracking initiatives’’ she says.
The National Rifle Association asserted that its gun safety educational programs deserve some of
the credit for a 14% decrease in accidental shootings between 1997 and 1998. “The NRA does
more safety training than anyone and it has led to accidental shootings being at an all-time low, de
spite a higher population and an in crease in the number of guns in the country,’’ says Patricia
Gregory, NRA public affairs director.
The CDC uses death certificates from physicians, medical examiners and coroners to compile its
yearly report. Other mortality findings for 1998 include:
For the first time since 1987, in fection with HIV, the AIDS virus, was not among the 15 overall
leading causes of death - dropping 21% - and was re placed on the list by hypertension.
Homicide, HIV infection and peri natal conditions were among the 10 leading causes of death
for blacks, but not whites. Homicide, liver disease and perinatal conditions were among the 10
leading cause of death for Hispanics but not for the total non-Hispanic population.
Life expectancy reached a record high 76.7 years in 1998, up from 76.5 in 1997. The life
expectancy for whites continues to be six years longer than for blacks. The infant mortality rate re
mained unchanged at 7.2 deaths per 1,000 people and continued to be twice as high for blacks as
whites.
Death rates decreased in eight of the 10 leading causes of death. Athero- sclerosis deaths
dropped 9.5%, Alz heimer’s deaths declined 4%, and stroke, heart disease and liver disease
deaths dropped 3%.
07/24/00- Updated 09:23 PM ET
Firearm deaths among children drops 10%
By John Tuohy, USA TODAY
The number of youths killed by gunshot wounds in the nation decreased 10% in 1998 compared
with the year before, double the decrease of gun deaths among the population at large. The
drop-off continues a four-year trend. Between 1994 and 1998, gun deaths for youths under 20
declined 35%, according to mortality data released by the centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
In 1998, 3,792 youths died from guns compared with 4,223 in 1997. In 1994 the number of
youth handgun victims was 5,833. Translated, that means an average 10 youths a day were dying
of gunshots in 1998 vs. 16 a day in 1994.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala says the decline shows “violence
prevention programs are working,’’ but adds, “we still have far to go to protect our young
people.’’ Gun deaths include homicides, suicides and accidents. Gun-related homicides among
young people declined 14% and accidents dropped 14%, but suicides decreased only 1.7% from
1997 to 1998.
CDC spokesman Jeff Lancashire says a number of possible factors, including a better economic
climate, may have led to the decreases. High profile shooting tragedies also may have contributed,
he says. “There might be more public awareness about safety.’’
Naomi Paiss, a spokesperson for Handgun Control, says she is optimistic that tougher gun laws
in several states have contributed to the decline. “We haven’t gotten much help on the federal
level but several states are taking action with cap laws and gun tracking initiatives’’ she says.
The National Rifle Association asserted that its gun safety educational programs deserve some of
the credit for a 14% decrease in accidental shootings between 1997 and 1998. “The NRA does
more safety training than anyone and it has led to accidental shootings being at an all-time low, de
spite a higher population and an in crease in the number of guns in the country,’’ says Patricia
Gregory, NRA public affairs director.
The CDC uses death certificates from physicians, medical examiners and coroners to compile its
yearly report. Other mortality findings for 1998 include:
For the first time since 1987, in fection with HIV, the AIDS virus, was not among the 15 overall
leading causes of death - dropping 21% - and was re placed on the list by hypertension.
Homicide, HIV infection and peri natal conditions were among the 10 leading causes of death
for blacks, but not whites. Homicide, liver disease and perinatal conditions were among the 10
leading cause of death for Hispanics but not for the total non-Hispanic population.
Life expectancy reached a record high 76.7 years in 1998, up from 76.5 in 1997. The life
expectancy for whites continues to be six years longer than for blacks. The infant mortality rate re
mained unchanged at 7.2 deaths per 1,000 people and continued to be twice as high for blacks as
whites.
Death rates decreased in eight of the 10 leading causes of death. Athero- sclerosis deaths
dropped 9.5%, Alz heimer’s deaths declined 4%, and stroke, heart disease and liver disease
deaths dropped 3%.