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To the Editor: In their article on the health of Latino children, Dr Flores and colleagues1 did not address homicide and its impact on the health of Latino children and youth. Homicide is the second leading cause of death for Latino children in the United States; the 1999 rate among Latinos aged 1 to 18 years is twice that of white non-Latinos.2 Among Latinos aged 10 to 19 years, homicide rates are even higher (from 10-14 years of age, relative risk [RR] = 4; from 15-19 years of age, RR = 8 compared with non-Latino whites).3
Poverty and low educational attainment, both of which have high prevalence among Latino youth, are associated with homicide and violent injuries.4 In addition to these conditions, access to firearms and alcohol contribute to homicide and other injuries.
Firearms are responsible for most homicides in the United States.5 In 1999, 79% of Latino gun-related homicides were among males aged 1 to 18 years.2 In 2001, 8% of US Latino high school students reported carrying a gun at least once in the previous month.6
The accessibility of alcohol may also place Latinos at increased risk of homicide and violent injuries. A recent survey shows that 49% of Latino high school students have had 1 or more drinks of alcohol in the last 30 days.6 There is also evidence for a higher concentration of alcohol outlets and promotion of alcohol in Latino neighborhoods than in non-Latino neighborhoods.4
To decrease the accessibility of guns and alcohol and reduce homicide for Latino and other youth, educational strategies, environmental modification, and enhanced surveillance are needed. Further research is needed to identify the risk and protective factors that affect the likelihood of violence among Latinos and other children. Research is also needed to develop and evaluate community-based interventions to prevent violence. In addition, easy access to firearms and alcohol suggests a need to develop, evaluate, and enforce policies that reduce the availability of these products to youth.
Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature
Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal
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