Violent deaths among Arizona children are climbing, according to a study released by the Arizona Department of Health Services reviewing all child deaths in the past year.
"Violence took a heavy toll on our children in 2001," said Dr. Mary Rimsza, Childhood Fatality Review Team Chair at ASU. "The loss of these children is a serious public health concern."
Arizona Child Fatality Review Program Director Robert Schackner said his organization is focusing on the drastic jump in violence-related deaths of children.
"There is still a great deal to do to keep Arizona's children safe," he said.
The report found that the deaths of 247 Arizona children, 25.5 percent of all child deaths in the state, could have been prevented last year with gun locks, car safety belts, secured pool fences and other preventative practices.
The highlighted recommendations include enacting laws requiring all guns sold in Arizona to have a locking device, enforcing the existing state law prohibiting persons under age 18 from possessing a firearm, ensuring funding for adequate behavior health services, and supporting gang prevention initiatives.
Reach the reporter at christina.viloria@asu.edu.
