Deaths from violence in North Carolina, 2004: how deaths differ in females and males.

OBJECTIVE To identify gender differences in violent deaths in terms of incidence, circumstances, and methods of death. DESIGN Analysis of surveillance data. SETTING North Carolina, a state of 8.6 million residents on the eastern seaboard of the US. SUBJECTS 1674 North Carolina residents who died from violence in the state during 2004. METHODS Information on violent deaths was collected by the North Carolina Violent Death Reporting System using data from death certificates, medical examiner reports, and law enforcement agency incidence reports. RESULTS Suicide and homicide rates were lower for females than males. For suicides, females were more likely than males to have a diagnosis of depression (55% v 36%), a current mental health problem (66% v 42%), or a history of suicide attempts (25% v 13%). Firearms were the sole method of suicide in 65% of males and 42% of females. Poisonings were more common in female than male suicides (37% v 12%). Male and female homicide victims were most likely to die from a handgun or a sharp instrument. Fifty seven percent of female homicides involved intimate partner violence, compared with 13% of male homicides. Among female homicides involving intimate partner violence, 78% occurred in the woman's home. White females had a higher rate of suicide than African-American females, but African-American females had a higher rate of homicide than white females. CONCLUSIONS The incidence, circumstances, and methods of fatal violence differ greatly between females and males. These differences should be taken into account in the development of violence prevention efforts.