Violent deaths among children in the United States, 1900-1980. An epidemiologic study of suicide, homicide and accidental deaths among 5- to 14-year-olds

Abstract

The authors examined the violent death rates among children aged 5-14 years in the United States from 1900 to 1980. For homicides and non-motor-vehicle accident deaths, 5- to 14-year-olds are at a lower risk than any other age group; for suicides and motor-vehicle accident mortality, only 0- to 4-year-olds have lower rates. Males tend to have higher rates than females for all forms of violent deaths for 5- to 14-years-olds. Nonwhites are at greater risk of dying by homicide and non-motor-vehicle accidents than whites; for suicide, whites are at greater risk; and for motor-vehicle accidents, nonwhites are currently at greater risk, with white children having been at greater risk earlier in the century. The epidemiologic time trends throughout the 20th century for 5- to 14-year-olds are quite similar to other ages for non-motor-vehicle accidents, but show some differences from other age groups in homicide, motor-vehicle accident mortality and, especially, suicide patterns. Various psychobiological perspectives as well as socioenvironmental issues are discussed as possible means of enhancing an understanding of the low violent death rates among 5- to 14-year-olds.