A study published in Jama Pediatrics revealed that from 2018 to 2020 black children, and those aged 16 to 17 years, were 50% more likely to be victims of homicide, which is a leading cause of child mortality in the United States.
While about 80% of homicides in the country are caused by firearms, this figure was 50% for children, as younger children were more likely to die from physical assault.
The smallest die from "physical aggression."
An analysis by a group of researchers affiliated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Defense compiled data from the National Violent Death Reporting System.
The report concluded that there was a "need to address geographic and racial differences in child homicide rates." since "caregivers most often kill the youngest children, while older people are more likely to be victims of homicides in connection with criminal activity or arguments outside their homes."
Black children were at higher risk of being victims of homicide. Rates also increased among children in the south of the country and those living in rural and urban areas. Nevertheless, all of the groups analyzed experienced an increase - to a greater or lesser extent - in homicide rates:
- Children aged 6 to 10 years from 0.5% (2018) to 0.8% (2020).
- Children/youth aged 11 to 15 from 1.3% (2018) to 2.2% (2020).
- 16- to 17-year-olds from 1.3% (2018) to 2.2% (2020).
- Hispanic children from 1.6% (2018) to 2.2% (2020).
- Black children from 6.8% (2018) to 9.9% (2020).
According to the study, homicide rates had declined for girls, children under age 6, white children, Asian/Pacific Islander children, and children in the northeastern United States.
