Intentional injury--homicide as a public health problem

This article is an epidemiological analysis of Baltimore homicides between 1986 and 1990. The main findings were that young African-American males between 15 and 34 years of age are at greatest risk of homicide victimization. Homicidal events primarily occurred with handguns, in drug-related circumstances, between acquaintances, and in the western police district area. Questions are raised concerning the expansion of the public health professional's role and the use of epidemiologic data for injury prevention programs. This article is the result of a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Injury Control, to the state of Maryland, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Baltimore City Health Department.