Dickinson-Iron County Critical Health Indicators

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Homicides                                                                                           

What Is It?

Homicide is the negligent or intentional killing of one person by another. Homicide may be the result of arguments between friends or acquaintances, domestic violence, child abuse, or crimes perpetrated by strangers.

How are Dickinson and Iron Counties doing?

Dickinson and Iron Counties have averaged less than one homicide per year over the past ten years.

Homicide Deaths and Death Rates
Dickinson County Residents, 1995-2000

Homicide Deaths and Death Rates
Iron County Residents, 1995-2000

Homicide is the fourth leading cause of Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) for people below the age of 75.

In 2000, there were 719 deaths due to homicide in Michigan. The age-adjusted rate for homicide was7.2 per 100,000 population. Homicide rates have been steadily declining since the peak in 1991. During the last ten years, homicide was one of the top 10 leading causes of death until 1996.

Related Link:  Age-adjusted and Age-specific Homicide Mortality Rates by Race and Sex, Michigan Residents, 1989-1998.

How do Dickinson and Iron Counties compare with Michigan and the U.S.?

Michigan's 2000age-adjusted homicide rate of 7.2 was higher than the U.S. rate of 6.2. Homicide was the fifth leading cause of YPLL in the U.S. in 1997. National homicide rates have also been declining and are the lowest they have been in three decades. Dickinson/Iron Counties have averaged less than one homicide per year over the past 10 years. The 1998-2000 yearly average was .7 for the District.

Related Link:  Age-Adjusted Homicide Death Rates by Race and Sex, Michigan and United States Residents, 1980-1998.

How are different populations affected?

Adolescents experienced an overall increase in mortality in the second half of this century. This is due mainly to an increase in homicide, suicide, and accidents for that age group. In Michigan, homicide was the second leading cause of death for 15-34 year-olds and the third leading cause of death for children 5-14 years-old. Since the 1980s, adolescents, along with other groups, have shown a steady decline in homicide rates.

The homicide rate for African-Americans is 13 times higher than it is for whites. In 1998, the age-adjusted rate for African-Americans was 38.9 compared to 2.9 for whites. The age-adjusted death rate is highest for African-American men at 66.7. Homicide is the leading cause of death for African-American men and women aged 15-34.

Men are more likely than women to be both victims and perpetrators of homicide. The age-adjusted homicide rate for men (12.9) was more than three times the rate for women (3.9).

What other information is important to know?

Poverty, lifestyle behaviors (such as weapon possession), a history of previous abuse or violence by parents, racial discrimination, and belief in violence or physical punishment as a socializing agent are factors associated with an increased risk for being a victim or perpetrator of homicide. Alcohol and drug use have also been shown to be associated with, but not the cause of, homicide.

What are the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department and the Michigan Department of Community Health doing to affect this indicator?

The Dickinson-Iron District Health Department has access to services and programs supported by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH). MDCH supports community, youth, and domestic violence prevention and reduction efforts to change the circumstances that can lead to homicides. MDCH is revising the Safe Michigan Plan, which addresses primary prevention for safe
streets, schools, homes, and work sites. MDCH has developed model programs to assist communities in assessing and improving their youth violence prevention status. Additionally, MDCH has implemented a violence prevention media campaign.

MDCH has developed and implemented model systems for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of violence-related data and information. A tool to assist organizations in looking at violence in their communities as well as other issues that can impact levels of violence has been developed and disseminated.

MDCH responds directly to persons who are of potential danger to others as a result of mental illness by providing psychiatric inpatient care at four adult and one child and adolescent psychiatric hospital. Community Mental Health Service Programs, through contracts with MDCH, offer a comprehensive array of specialty services such as psychiatric inpatient care, hospital based crisis observation care, intensive crisis residential and stabilization services, and community treatment.