Recommended data elements for firearm-related injury surveillance

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• In 1994, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded seven states to develop firearm injury surveillance systems.
• Nine jurisdictions, including New York City and California, had prior experience or were developing systems for firearm-related injury surveillance.
• No standardized definitions or data collection recommendations existed for firearm injury surveillance at the project's inception.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the process of developing recommended data elements (RDEs) for firearm-related injury surveillance.
• To identify 21 suggested data elements for fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries.
• To outline potential data sources and their utility for capturing these elements.

Main Methods:

• Collaborative development of RDEs by nine jurisdictions and the CDC.
• Identification of 21 data elements based on preliminary experiences.
• Assessment of data sources for feasibility and usefulness in capturing recommended elements.

Main Results:

• A list of 21 recommended data elements for firearm injury surveillance was developed.
• Potential data sources were identified, with varying utility for fatal versus nonfatal injuries.
• It was recognized that no single source could provide all desired data for both morbidity and mortality.

Conclusions:

• The developed RDEs are based on initial experiences and require pilot testing and revision.
• Inclusion of these elements is encouraged for all developing surveillance systems.
• Further refinement is needed to optimize data capture and utility for firearm injury surveillance.