USE OF NATIONAL DATA SYSTEMS FOR FIREARM-RELATED INJURY SURVEILLANCE

Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of f ederal data systems that report national data on fatal and nonfatal fi rearm-related injuries and associated risk factors and behaviors. Resu lts: There are 13 federal data systems that provide useful information for national surveillance of firearm-related injuries in the United S tates. Each data system has useful features and limitations. Each prov ides a different methodologic approach to capture data for monitoring and characterizing firearm-related deaths or injuries, or behavioral r isks associated with unintentional and violent events. Conclusion: Alt hough much progress has been made over the past decade to improve nati onal data on firearm-related injuries, many gaps still remain. A mecha nism is needed to better coordinate and integrate federal efforts to c ollect, analyze, and disseminate data on firearm-related injury.