BACKGROUND: More people died in Clark County during 2013 from firearms than motor vehicle crashes; however, firearm mortality is infrequently investigated from a public health perspective. The Southern Nevada Health District examined firearm-related mortality in Clark County during 2009–2013 and sought to describe prevalence and disparities among demographic groups.
METHODS: A case was defined as a Clark County resident death during 2009–2013 with an ICD-10 code indicating mortality attributable to firearm injury. CDC’s Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database was queried to provide aggregated firearm-related mortality prevalence information; state vital records were used to gather data concerning decedent residence zip codes. Statistical methods are descriptive; ArcGIS®10.3 was utilized to map cases and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) was utilized to identify socioeconomic patterns across the county.
RESULTS: During 2009–2013, 1,301 cases were reported in Clark County, the largest percentage occurred among males (84%). Non-Hispanic blacks, non-Hispanic whites, and persons aged >85 years had the highest age-adjusted rates (16.7/100,000 persons, 16.2/100,000 persons, and 25.2/100,000 persons, respectively). Among cases, 906 (70%) were suicide, 347 (27%) were homicide. Clark County’s firearm suicide rate was 9.1/100,000 persons, higher than the 10 largest U.S. counties by population. The rate of firearm homicide among non-Hispanic blacks was ~5 times that of non-Hispanic whites. ArcGIS®maps showed firearm suicides were distributed across the county; however, firearm homicide hotspots were located in the areas with the highest SVI.
CONCLUSIONS: Firearm mortality is a prominent public health problem in Clark County, influenced by substantial suicide rates. Additionally, disparities among demographic characteristics are present in firearm suicide and homicide rates.