Feb. 8, 2008 -- Attorney General Steve Six today announced the most recent data on child fatalities in Kansas. In conjunction with the Kansas State Child Death Review Board, Six released data for the past eleven years regarding common trends and risk factors.
The collection of child fatality data began in 1993, and the first annual report was produced by the Board in 1994. Between the years of 1994 and 2005, the Board has reviewed 5,983 deaths.
All child deaths are classified into one of the six categories depending on the manner of death. All are list below along with the total number of deaths from 1994 to 2005:
* Natural-Except Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) - 3,536 deaths
* Natural-SIDS - 460 deaths
* Unintentional Injury (motor vehicle crash, drowning, fires, farm-related, etc.) - 1,358 deaths
* Homicide (including gang-related and child-abuse) - 269 deaths
* Suicide - 184 deaths
* Undetermined (when there are multiple circumstances that could have contributed to the child’s death and no identifiable cause is established) - 176 deaths
The majority of child deaths are classified as Natural manner of death. From 1994 to 2005, 59% of the total 5,983 deaths fell into this group. There have been 1,358 unintentional injury deaths, 884 of which were from motor vehicle crashes. 60% of those crashes involved unrestrained passengers and/or drivers.
The have been 269 child homicides during the past eleven years. Traditionally, the majority of the homicides have been committed using a weapon; however, there has been an alarming increase in the number of child-abuse homicides.
There were 184 child suicides. Most suicide deaths involve youths between the ages of 15 to 17. 83% of the total 184 suicide fatalities were male and involved either the use of a weapon or asphyxiation.
The majority of deaths classified as Undetermined are due to incomplete investigations or incomplete autopsies
To further the efforts of lowering child death in Kansas, the SCDRB recommends modifying the current graduated driver’s licensing system to include the following:
* Mandatory standardized driver’s education program.
* All occupants must be properly restrained.
* Unsupervised driving hours restricted to 5 am through 9 pm.
* The driver may not operate wireless devices while driving.
* Limitation of one non-sibling passenger under the age of 21 while driving unsupervised.
* Minimum age of applicant raised to 15 from 14 years-of-age.
* Driving to and from after school activities is prohibited.
* In lieu of the signed affidavit of employment, a farm permit holder is required to provide a government issued 1099 or W2 form or proof of residing on a farm.
The Board also strongly encourage enhancement of ATV usage laws, the restriction of leaving children unattended in vehicles, and the restriction of children under the age of 14 operating farm equipment.
The State Child Death Review Board (SCDRB) was created by the Kansas Legislature in 1992 and is administered by the Office of the Kansas Attorney General. The SCDRB consists of 10 volunteer members whose appointments are defined by statute, K.S.A. Supp. 22a-241 et seq. The members meet monthly to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of all Kansas children aged birth through 17 years, as well as children who are not Kansas residents but die in the State. The purpose of the SCDRB is to determine the number of Kansas children who die annually, describe trends and patterns of child deaths, identify risk factors, improve information gathering and communication among agencies, and develop prevention strategies in order to lower the number of child deaths.
For further information about the State Child Death Review Board or to review their annual reports please visit their website at http://www.ksag.org/content/page/id/49 .
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