Violent Reinjury and Mortality Among Youth Seeking Emergency Department Care for Assault-Related Injury

Abstract

Youth violence is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Homicide is the second leading cause of death among youth overall and has been the leading cause of death among African American male adolescents and young men for more than a decade.¹ In addition, nonfatal assault-related injuries are responsible for more than 700 000 emergency department (ED) visits annually among youth (aged 10-24 years).¹ Annual societal costs for fatal youth violence injuries are substantial, estimated at more than $4 billion for acute medical care and $32 billion for lost wages and productivity.²