NATION : CDC Warns of Minority Violence
Federal health officials, reporting a “very disturbing” jump in the homicide rate among young black males, today called for action to curb violence among minorities.
Homicides accounted for 42% of the deaths of U.S. black males ages 15 to 24 in 1987, the national Centers for Disease Control said.
The homicide rate in 1987 was 84.7 per 100,000 young black males--the highest rate of the decade and 40% higher than the rate of 60.6 in 1984, the CDC said.
In addition, preliminary data for 1988, the latest year for which figures are available, show a 19% increase in the homicide rate for young black males over 1987, indicating that the problem has continued to worsen, the CDC said.
While more research is needed, many of the homicides occur during domestic violence, child abuse, rape and disputes among acquaintances, the CDC said.
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