Abstract
This study analyzes firearms mortality (FA) and their impact on life expectancy in Mexico –compared to other causes of deaths- during the three-year periods 2000-2002 and 2010-2012 and the weight of the different age groups in years of life expectancy lost (YLEL) due to this cause. Based on official death and population data, abridged life tables in Mexico were constructed for the three-year periods studied. Temporary life expectancy and YLEL for aged 15 to 75 by selected causes and age groups were calculated in each three-year period. Among men, FA mortality went from being the cause less YLEL caused in 2000-2002 to be the main cause of YLEL between 15 and 75 years in 2010-2012. Among women, YLEL for FA mortality had a higher relative growth. In both sexes, the greatest increase in YLEL by FA mortality was between 20 and 34 years. Findings indicate that the increase in FA mortality, especially among young people, has substantially contributed to the stagnation of life expectancy in recent years, and even his decline in the case of men. This reflects that violence linked to the FA is not only a security problem but also a collective health problem that must be copied in an interdisciplinary and intersectoral form if it is to increase the life expectancy of the country.
Firearms; Life expectancy; Mortality; Violence
Standard population: population of Mexico in 2010, estimated by Consejo Nacional de Población (CONAPO, its acronyim in Spanish).Source: Prepared by the authors based on data from the National Health Information System of the Ministry of Health, Mexico.
Source: Prepared by the authors based on data from the National Health Information System of the Ministry of Health, Mexico.