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Violent Death Reporting in Maryland: Demographic Variability in Data Completeness.
Meghan L Smith1, Adebola A Akinyemi1, Jennifer L Stanley1
1Meghan L. Smith, Adebola A. Akinyemi, Jennifer L. Stanley, and Clifford S. Mitchell are with the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Prevention & Health Promotion Administration, Environmental Health Bureau, Baltimore. Meghan L. Smith is also with the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Program, Atlanta, GA.
American Journal of Public Health
|August 18, 2017
Summary
Precipitating circumstance data completeness varied by demographics in Maryland
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Criminology
Background:
- The Maryland Violent Death Reporting System (MVDRS) collects data on violent deaths.
- Understanding precipitating circumstances is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
- Previous analyses have not fully assessed the completeness of circumstance data within the MVDRS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the completeness of precipitating circumstance information in the Maryland Violent Death Reporting System.
- To identify demographic and situational factors associated with incomplete circumstance data.
- To assess the utility of the MVDRS for informing violence prevention efforts.
Main Methods:
- A review of all violent deaths among Maryland residents from 2003-2014 (n=19,161).
- Assessment of precipitating circumstance data presence, abstracted from medical examiner and police reports.
- Multivariable regression analysis to evaluate factors associated with circumstance reporting, particularly for homicide cases.
Main Results:
- Circumstance data completeness varied significantly by demographic characteristics and manner of death.
- For homicides, circumstances were known for 53.2% of cases, with lower reporting for non-Latino Blacks, younger males, and those in high-homicide rate jurisdictions.
- Factors such as dying in public places or correctional facilities were also associated with lower reporting rates.
Conclusions:
- Circumstance reporting in the MVDRS is least complete for populations most at risk of homicide.
- Strengthening data collection for these vulnerable groups is essential for targeted violence prevention.
- Improving data completeness will enhance the utility of the MVDRS for public health interventions.
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