The causes, impact , and preventability of childhood injuries in the United States: childhood suicide in the United States

Article Abstract:

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the 5- to 19-year-old age group. The suicide rate for boys is higher than for girls, and rate for whites is higher than for blacks. Data reveal that the greatest risk of suicide is among white males, aged 15 to 19 years. Methods of suicide include firearm injuries, asphyxiation by hanging and with gases, over-doses of medicines, and ingestion of toxic substances. The highest risk appears to occur in adolescents with diagnosable psychiatric illnesses, including affective disorder (depression), borderline personality disorder, and drug and/or alcohol abuse. Combinations of these disorders increase the risk of suicide. Studies indicate that up to 50 percent of youthful suicide victims had family histories of mental illness or suicide. Failed suicide attempts are usually followed by repeated attempts, and ultimately end in suicide. Suicide rates appear to rise and fall with the same changes in the adolescent population. Means of intervention and prevention of suicide are suggested; they are described using the classical concepts of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. Primary prevention involves suicide prevention centers, hot lines, mental health services, social action programs, and teams of specialists for communities where large numbers of suicides have occurred, and reducing access to firearms and illicit drugs. Secondary prevention is directed at treating and counseling teenagers who have made unsuccessful suicide attempts. Tertiary prevention is directed at the family and community survivors of successful suicides, and provides one-to-one counselling, community mental health and other social support programs. Prevention is tied to the ability to identify potentially high risk children and provide services. Further research is necessary to improve the currently inadequate intervention skills and services for preventing childhood suicide. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diagnosis, Prevention, Suicide, Suicide prevention, Suicide victims

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Surveillance for epidemics - United States

Article Abstract:

Although state health departments have procedures for monitoring epidemics, their lack of uniformity makes it difficult to compare data from various states and to monitor epidemics on a national basis. Multi-state or national data would be valuable in epidemic surveillance and in adopting uniform public health standards. It would also be useful in improving regulations governing public health care practices related to child-care licensing, restaurant inspections, and environmental hazard control. In order to test the feasibility of an epidemic monitoring procedure covering more than one state, a five-month pilot program was conducted in 1988 involving the states of Maryland, New York, Oklahoma, and Washington. The states' epidemiology offices used uniform data collection systems to record epidemics reported by their staffs. An epidemic was defined as 'a recent or sudden excess of cases of a specific disease or clinical syndrome.' Foodborne outbreaks were recorded when twice the normal incidence were reported; other outbreaks were considered when three times the normal incidence occurred. The reporting system documented 79 epidemics; food establishments and nursing homes were the most frequent source. The study demonstrates the feasibility of a standard system of epidemic surveillance, but also illustrates the need for substantial revision in data collecting procedures in some states if such a system is to be successful. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Public health, Epidemics

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Interpopulation and intrapopulation variability of nutrient intake in five regions of Japan

Article Abstract:

The relative contributions of inter- and intrapopulation variance to the total variability in nutrient intake was calculated from data gathered from five Public Health Center districts in Japan. Findings indicated that the contribution of interpopulation variance varied depending on the nutrient. Interpopulation variance can be employed for the estimation of the range of exposure in ecological research to analyze the heterogeneity of study populations gathered for individual-based studies. This will allow for an easier analysis of data from multiple populations.

Japan, Food and nutrition, Nutrition, Diet

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