Homicide rates have increased in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties since 2004 nearly twice the rate of the national average. For the first time these rates are being examined as more than crime statistics, but statistics that have a significant effect on South Floridas public health.
With the lives of victims, families and communities drastically altered by these acts of violence, homicide should be considered part of any public health prevention agenda argues Dr. Evelio Velis, associate director for Barry Universitys master in health services administration program.
His research is an observational study of homicide victims in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties between 2004 and 2007. Data was obtained from the medical examiners office in both counties and was compared to identify associations and differences among selected groups.
His findings are bleak. Although Black Non-Hispanics account for 19 percent of the population in Miami-Dade County, 56 percent of homicide victims are in this ethnic group. The same trend can be seen in Broward County, where 53 percent of homicide victims are Black Non-Hispanics although the group makes up only 23 percent of the population. Likewise, Dr. Velis research shows that Hispanics faced a greater risk of being a victim of homicide in 2007 than in 2004 when he began his research.
Most startling, however, is the ages of the victims. In both counties, more than 80 percent of the victims aged between 14 and 17 were killed by gun-related injuries. Almost 90 percent died by this type of injury among victims aged 18 to 24.
According to his research, Velis asserts that a substantial portion of homicide victims are considerably young, with median age decreasing during his research. However, Velis hopes his research will bring attention to this issue across professional lines.
“The active participation of public health professionals should be a constant component in any effort aiming to reduce homicide. Addressing socio-economic factors such as poverty and education must be part of any intervention.”
