Violent deaths as a leading cause of mortality: an epidemiologic study of suicide, homicide, and accidents

In the United States violent deaths (suicide, homicide, and accidents) are the leading cause of deaths in people aged 1-39 and the third lead cause of death for people of all ages.

Abstract

In the United States violent deaths (suicide, homicide, and accidents) are the leading cause of deaths in people aged 1-39 and the third leading cause of death for people of all ages. Violent death rates have tended to decrease since 1900. Among 15-24-year-olds, however, the violent death rate is currently the highest ever recorded in this country, and suicide and homicide rates among people aged 5-14 and 15-24 are as high or higher than any previous recordings. The quantity of expected life lost through violent deaths is greater than that for any other cause of death.