A Comparison of 2017 YRBS Data Regarding Weapon-Related Violence in Duval County, Florida and Nationwide

Youth involvement in violence is among one of the largest threats to their health and social wellbeing. Weapon-related violence poses even more critical risks due to the often-fatal outcomes. Weapon related violence can be defined as, “Interpersonal behavior that is intended to coerce or to cause harm, injury, or death…[such as] carrying a knife or gun, using a weapon to force someone to do something …and hurting someone badly enough to need medical attention” (Zimmerman, M. A., Steinman, K. J., & Rowe, K. J., 1998). This kind of violence is influenced by various factors including those outlined by the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) framework. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) defines the Social Determinants of Health as, “Complex, integrated, and overlapping social structures and economic systems that are responsible for most health inequities” (CDC, 2017). These structures and systems include “The social environment, physical environment, health services…structural and societal factors… [and]…are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources throughout local communities, nations, and the world” (CDC, 2017). It is important to consider which of these factors impact rates of weapon-related violence because of the effects this violence can have on youth and their development.

Existing research posits many reasons for the increased prevalence of weapon-related violence and the risks associated with this kind of violence. The CDC explains that youth involvement in weapon-related violence in their schools and community is related to poor health outcomes and poor academic performance (2017). Any disruption to the expected school setting, including being threatened by a weapon or feeling generally unsafe, impacts feelings of school connectedness (CDC, 2017). This is problematic because school connectedness is a known protective factor against many maladaptive behaviors including substance abuse and mental health issues which also inhibit academic success (CDC, 2017).

Because rates of weapon-related violence vary among states and districts, it is important to consider how the social and economic structures in Duval County, FL differ to those nationally and how they may contribute to weapon-related violence. With a population of 926,255 people, Duval County, FL has a uniquely diverse makeup that could lend itself to the causes or contributions of the critical issue of weapon-related violence. In Duval County, FL 52.3% identify as White, 30.3% identify as Black, 9.4% identify as Hispanic and 4.37% identify as Asian (Jacksonville, FL, 2017). However, nationally 76.6% of people identify themselves as White, 13.4% identify as Black, 18.1% identify as Hispanic and 5.8% identify as Asian (U.S. Census Bureau). The 2012 Duval County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) was created to improve the health of Duval County, FL residents and assesses which areas of Jacksonville, FL are most risk (Floridahealth.gov, 2012). The implementation of health zones allowed for a better evaluation of these differences. In Duval County, FL there are six health zones (Urban Core (HZ1), Greater Arlington (HZ2), Southeast (HZ3), Southwest (HZ4), Outer Rim (HZ5), and Beaches (HZ6) (Floridahealth.gov, 2012). HZ1 has the largest minority population, the highest poverty rate, and the lowest percentage of residents with more than a high school education. (Floridahealth.gov, 2012). In HZ1 over 1 in 10 students were threatened or injured with a weapon at school and 10.9% of students did not go to school because they felt unsafe at school or on the way to or from school compared to 7.1% of students nationally (YRBS, 2015). Furthermore, 10.3% of high school students in HZ1 were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property compared to 6.9% nationally (YRBS, 2015). HZ4 had highest prevalence of students that felt unsafe at school (16.5%), were in a physical fight at school (16.6%), carried a weapon at school (9.6%), were threatened or injured with a weapon at school (15.8%), and threatened or injured someone with a weapon at school (14.3%) (YRBS, 2015). CHIP also administered a survey to local residents and 38.9% reported violence as being the health issue they are most concerned with (Floridahealth.gov, 2012). These statistics clearly illustrate the health disparities across Duval County, FL and how these differ from high school students nationwide. Moreover, when considering the SDH framework, various social and economic factors contribute to these disparities specifically in the economically, racially and ethnically diverse community of Duval County, FL.

To further evaluate these disparities, we developed various objectives for our research. Our first objective was aimed at determining how often students carried a weapon, such as a gun, knife or club, onto school property as well as in general (YRBS questions 13 and 14) in the past 30 days. We then sought to determine the rate that students did not attend school because they were fearful for their safety either at school, or on their way to or from school (YRBS question 15). Finally, we intended to determine the frequency of weapon-related threats or injuries on school property (YRBS question 16). We expect that high school students have been threatened or injured with weapons on school property more often in Duval County, FL, than students nationwide and that they will report not attending school because they felt they would be unsafe more often than students nationwide.