The state of South Dakota's child: 2007, part II--death during childhood
Wilson, A.L.
South Dakota Medicine the Journal of the South Dakota State Medical Association 61(2): 47-51
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0038-3317 PMID: 18432150 Document Number: 617217
South Dakota's rate of death for children 1 to 14 years of age (39 per 100,000 population) exceeds that of the nation (20 per 100,000 population), and in 2004 (the most recent year for which data are available) it is the highest rate reported for any state in the nation. An examination of these deaths shows over half are caused by injuries. American Indians comprise 15 percent of the state's population of children, yet 35 percent of all its childhood deaths are American Indian. Further, the rate of childhood death due to homicide and suicide is five and four times higher for American Indian than white children in the state. Use of community-based mortality review committees and attention to the systemic social variables that affect behavior are suggested as approaches to responding to the tragic loss of life during childhood.