Nonfatal Assaults Among Persons Aged 10–24 Years — United States, 2001–2015

Abstract

© 2018, Department of Health and Human Services. All rights reserved. What is already known about this topic? Persons aged 10-24 years account for a substantial proportion of nonfatal assault injuries treated in emergency departments (EDs) in the United States. What is added by this report? The 2015 rate for nonfatal injuries among persons aged 10-24 years was 753.2 per 100,000 population, the lowest rate in the 15-year study period (2001-2015). From 2011 to 2015, injury rates declined among both males and females and all age groups examined. Despite these findings, assault injuries continue to occur often, with 485,610 young persons treated in EDs for assault-related injuries in 2015. What are the implications for public health practice? Primary prevention strategies that build communication and problem-solving skills and address risk factors for violence among young persons can stop violence before it starts. Expansion of these strategies and additional interventions focused on injured young persons while they are receiving ED treatment to connect to immediate and ongoing community support might decrease the risk for reinjury or fatality. CDC’s technical package to prevent youth violence helps communities and states prioritize strategies with the best available evidence.