U.S. Teen Gun, Heart Deaths Down

W A S H I N G T O N, July 24 -- Fewer U.S. teens and children arebeing killed by gunfire, perhaps because of crime preventionefforts, the U.S. government announced today.

The latest report on deaths in the United States shows thenumber of firearm deaths for youths under the age of 20 fell by10 percent in 1998 and 35 percent since 1994.

Other data from the National Center for Health Statisticsreport show that life expectancy at birth increased to a recordhigh of 76.7 years in 1998, up from 76.5 in 1997. It also found thatdeaths from atherosclerosis, the buildup of fat in the arteries,fell by nearly 10 percent in 1998.

Strong Racial Disparities

The annual report found strong racial disparities remain,with black Americans much more likely to die than whiteAmericans from a variety of causes.

According to the report, 3,792 children and adolescents diedfrom firearm injuries in 1998, down 10 percent from 4,223 in1997 and down 35 percent from the high of 5,833 in 1994. Overall, 30,708 people of all ages died from gunshot injuries in1998, a 5 percent drop from 1997.

But the government noted that this is nothing to celebrate.

“Each day, 10 children and teens are killed by firearms,and that is 10 too many,” Health and Human Services SecretaryDonna Shalala said in a statement.

“However, it is a significant decrease from four yearsearlier. This indicates that violence prevention efforts areshowing results.”

President Bill Clinton said Americans still need to work toreduce gun deaths.

“Parents must ensure that guns are stored safely to preventaccidental shootings. Schools and communities must give childrenpositive alternatives to steer them away from guns andviolence,” Clinton said in a statement.

“Law enforcement must crack down on gun traffickers whosupply young people with firearms and armed criminals who commitviolence against our children. And the gun industry mustresponsibly design, distribute and market its products to makesure they do not fall into the wrong hands.”