Text Objectives: Although males are at greater risk for homicide, research has shown that female homicide victimization is qualitatively different from male homicide victimization. This study analyzed trends in female homicide victimization by examining age-specific homicide rates among Black and White females by geographic area and type of weapon for 1985-1995. Methods: County-level data were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics and the Bureau of the Census. Annual homicide rates were calculated for Black and White women for 5 age categories (15-19, 20-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64), by type of weapon (firearm/non-firearm), and by metropolitan status (metropolitan/non-metropolitan). Log-linear regression models were used to estimate average annual percent change in the death rates. Results: The age-specific homicide rates for Black females were up to 5 times higher than for White females. Rates were highest for Black females aged 20-24 and 25-34 in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties. Firearm homicide rates increased for 15-19 year old Black and White females. Firearm homicide rates for 20-24 year old Black females (both metropolitan and non-metropolitan) followed the national trend of increasing until 1993 and subsequently starting a downward trend. The rates for the 25-34 year old Black females showed no downward trend. Conclusions: Contrary to overall declining national homicide trends, age-specific female homicide victimization rates have not declined uniformly across metropolitan/non-metropolitan areas. Among young women, firearm-related homicide rates increased while non-firearm homicides decreased, while rates for 25-34 year old women remained relatively stable. Our findings are relevant for targeting population specific interventions.
Learning Objectives: (1) Identify age-specific differences in homicide rates for Black and White women. (2) Identify weapon and geographic variability within the age groups.
Keywords: Homicide, Epidemiology
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.