Burdens of interpersonal violence in adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Background: Interpersonal violence (IV) is a common problem among adolescents and young adults and has long-term consequences for the health and development of youth.

Methods: Data on incidence and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) of IV (physical violence by firearm, by sharp object, sexual violence, and by other means) for adolescents and young adults aged 10-24 years in 204 countries and territories were retrieved from the GBD 2019. The age standardised rate (ASR) and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) were used to analyze the global trends by sex, and SDI.

Results: Globally, in 2019, the age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) of IV among adolescents and young adults was 566.0 per 100,000 person years. From 1990 to 2019, the IV incidence and the age-standardised DALYs rate of IV among adolescents and young adults decreased globally. At the regional level, the largest increases in ASIR of IV from 1990 to 2019 were observed in Oceania (0.94%), Caribbean (0.81%), and Southern Latin America (0.63%). A reversed V-shaped association was found between the SDI and the burden of IV at the regional level.

Conclusions: Unwavering efforts must be made to prevent IV among adolescents and young adults and care for victims of IV.

Impact: Although the burden of IV is decreasing worldwide from 1990 to 2019, the most significant increase was found in Oceania, the Caribbean, and Latin America. High-income North America continues to be affected by physical violence by firearm, while East Asia continues to face issues with sexual violence. Unwavering efforts must be made to prevent IV among adolescents and young adults and care for victims of IV, including clinical and mental health.