Trends in Emergency Department Visits for Nonfatal Violence-Related Injuries Among Adolescents in the United States, 2009–2013

Abstract

PurposeViolence-related injuries are a major cause of death and disability among adolescents in the United States. The objective of this study was to examine trends in adolescent violence-related injuries between 2009 and 2013. MethodsThis study examined data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–All Injury Program for years 2009–2013. Linear regression was used to assess trends in rates of violence-related injuries among adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years. ResultsWe found overall rates of nonfatal violence-related injuries among all adolescents did not change significantly across the study years (p = .502). However, self-harm injury rates have significantly increased among female and younger adolescents during the period (p = .001 and .011, respectively). ConclusionsOur results indicate that the overall intentional injury rates in adolescents have been stable; however, rates of self-injury have significantly increased in younger adolescents and females. Future research should focus on exploring causes of increases in self-harm injuries in these subpopulations.