In 2001, more than 2 million nonfatal violence-related injuries occurred in the United States (CDC, 2003).  As of 2003, homicide was the second leading cause of death for persons 15 to 34 years of age, and was the leading cause of death for African-Americans in this age-group (CDC, 2003).  In recent months, the high prevalence of violence in Philadelphia has been featured prominently in news media.  This article takes a step back to review trends in the experiences and risk of violence in Philadelphia between 1996 and 2004.  Using PHMC’s biennial Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Surveys, 1996-2004, the article examines two components of violence and risk of violence and focuses on Philadelphia: the prevalence of household firearms and individual experiences of violence. 

FIREARMS IN PHILADELPHIA HOUSEHOLDS

The presence of household firearms has been shown to be related to increased risk for homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings, particularly among young people (Johnson, Coyne-Beasley, & Runyan, 2004).  PHMC’s Household Health Survey found that between 1996 and 2004 there was a decline in the proportion of households in Philadelphia reporting one or more firearms (Figure 1).  In 2004, approximately 58,500 households in Philadelphia reported one or more firearms (about 10% of households); in 1996, about 68,400 households (almost 12% of households) had one or more firearms.   The proportion of Philadelphia households with children that also reported one or more firearms also decreased from 12% in 1996 to 10% in 2004.

Prevalence of one or more firearms in a household varied widely by geographic area—or, Planning Analysis Section (PAS)—within the city (Figure 2).  Households in the Upper Northeast (17%), Roxborough-Manayunk (13%), and Bridesburg/Kensington (12%) were most likely to report having one or more firearms in 2004, compared to other areas of the city.  Only 4.3% of households in Center City reported having one or more firearms in 2004. 

Firearms that are accessible or unlocked pose a greater risk than those kept locked.  Among households with firearms in 2004, nearly 1 in 5 (19%) did not use a trigger lock or have the firearm(s) in a locked place; almost 4 out of 10 households with firearms (39%) kept one or more gun(s) loaded.  Among households with children that reported having firearms in 2004, 1 in 10 did not keep their firearm(s) locked (about 1,600 households), and almost 1 in 3 did keep their firearm(s) loaded (about 5,200 households).

CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY & EXPERIENCES OF VIOLENCE

In 2004, over 7.6% of adults 18 years of age and older didn’t go somewhere during the day because they felt it would not be safe.  This represents a decrease from 9.7% of adults in 1998. 

The percentage of adults in Philadelphia who had experienced physical violence in the previous year remained steady between 1998 and 2002 at about 6.7%, then decreased slightly in 2004 to 5.7%.  This percentage represents about 64,000 adults who experienced physical violence in the previous year.  Among adults in Philadelphia in 2004 who experienced physical violence, slightly more than one-quarter (27.3% or 17,400 adults) reported this to be intimate partner violence.  Additionally, slightly more than one-quarter (28.7%) of adults who experienced physical violence went to an ER due to the violence. 

In Philadelphia in 2004, young adults (ages 18-29) were more than twice as likely to have experienced physical violence in the previous year compared to adults aged 30 to 59 (11.9% vs. 5.2%, respectively).  Older adults 65 years of age and older were least likely to have experienced physical violence compared to other age groups (1.5%).  Latino adults (13%) were more likely to have experienced physical violence compared to Black, White, or Asian adults (6%, 4%, and 3%, respectively). 

Poor adults are more than twice as likely to have experienced physical violence compared to nonpoor adults (10.3% vs. 4.6%, respectively).  Men and women were equally as likely to have experienced physical violence in 2004.  This pattern holds steady since 2000.  Unemployed adults are more likely to have experienced physical violence compared to employed adults (8.8% vs. 5.7%, respectively).

SOCIAL CAPITAL

Social capital refers to the structures of community organization that define community norms, trust and reciprocity and shape levels of civic participation.  The elements of social capital are believed to function together to determine social networks, cooperation and mutual benefit within a community.  Results of the 2004 survey show that adults with low social capital appear to be much more likely to have experienced physical violence compared to adults who report medium or high social capital levels (69% vs. 24% and 7%, respectively) (Figure 2). 

CONCLUSION

Overall, between 1996 and 2004, there was to be a slight decline in the proportion of Philadelphia households with firearms, as well in the proportion of individuals who experienced violence in the previous year.  The 2006 Household Health Survey, which is currently underway, will allow us to assess whether the net downward trends seen between 1996 and 2004 have continued or if experiences of violence and possession of firearms has begun to rise again more recently.  Expect the results of the 2006 survey to be ready for debut by January 2007!

For more information about violence or the Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey, please contact Allegra Gordon at agordon@phmc.org, or 215.985.6238.