Publications [#266499] of Philip J. Cook

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Journal Articles

  1. Sanford, C; Marshall, SW; Martin, SL; Coyne-Beasley, T; Waller, AE; Cook, PJ; Norwood, T; Demissie, Z. "Deaths from violence in North Carolina, 2004: how deaths differ in females and males.." Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention 12 Suppl 2.SUPPL. 2 (December, 2006): ii10-ii16. [doi]
    (last updated on 2024/04/16)

    Abstract:

    Objective

    To identify gender differences in violent deaths in terms of incidence, circumstances, and methods of death.

    Design

    Analysis of surveillance data.

    Setting

    North Carolina, a state of 8.6 million residents on the eastern seaboard of the US.

    Subjects

    1674 North Carolina residents who died from violence in the state during 2004.

    Methods

    Information on violent deaths was collected by the North Carolina Violent Death Reporting System using data from death certificates, medical examiner reports, and law enforcement agency incidence reports.

    Results

    Suicide and homicide rates were lower for females than males. For suicides, females were more likely than males to have a diagnosis of depression (55% v 36%), a current mental health problem (66% v 42%), or a history of suicide attempts (25% v 13%). Firearms were the sole method of suicide in 65% of males and 42% of females. Poisonings were more common in female than male suicides (37% v 12%). Male and female homicide victims were most likely to die from a handgun or a sharp instrument. Fifty seven percent of female homicides involved intimate partner violence, compared with 13% of male homicides. Among female homicides involving intimate partner violence, 78% occurred in the woman's home. White females had a higher rate of suicide than African-American females, but African-American females had a higher rate of homicide than white females.

    Conclusions

    The incidence, circumstances, and methods of fatal violence differ greatly between females and males. These differences should be taken into account in the development of violence prevention efforts.

Philip J. Cook