To analyze trends in deaths caused by law enforcement in the US from 2003 to 2024, focusing on demographics such as age, sex, and race.
Approach:
Data Source: Utilized National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Multiple Cause-of-Death records from 2003 to 2024, excluding legal executions.
Mortality Rate Calculation: Calculated population-based crude mortality rates per 100,000 person-years, examining results by age, sex, and race.
Demographic Analysis: Analyzed deaths among adults and children, with a focus on non-Hispanic Black males.
Key Findings:
Total of 11,775 deaths caused by law enforcement identified, including 11,505 adults and 270 children.
Adult deaths increased from 363 in 2003 to 809 in 2024, with mortality rising from 0.17 to 0.31 per 100,000 person-years, corresponding to an estimated annual increase of 3.5%.
Child deaths increased from 8 to 37, with mortality rising from 0.01 to 0.05 per 100,000 person-years, corresponding to an estimated annual increase of 5.6%.
Firearms accounted for 88% of deaths (10,314 total).
Non-Hispanic Black males had the highest mortality rate at 0.65 per 100,000 person-years.
Limitations:
Deaths caused by law enforcement are likely underreported, with estimates of underreporting as high as 55%.
Death-certificate coding may have varied over time, influenced by media attention.
The expanded indication is supported by pharmacokinetic, safety, tolerability, exploratory efficacy, and long-term safety data from studies in children aged 2 to 5 years.
