To better understand why violent deaths occur and to reduce the number of these deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), a nationwide state-based surveillance system designed to track trends and characteristics of violent death. In 2004, Kentucky became one of 17 CDC-funded states participating in the NVDRS; today, all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC, are funded. States are required to collect information about violent deaths from death certificates, coroner/medical examiner reports, police reports, and toxicology reports. All personal identifying information is removed before data are uploaded to the national system. Together, this information provides a more comprehensive picture of violent death. By integrating multiple data sources to form a violent death surveillance system, formerly disparate pieces of information can be compiled and analyzed.
The Kentucky Violent Death Reporting System (KYVDRS) tracks trends and patterns and identifies vulnerable populations. Of notable concern are combat veterans with not only the outcome of suicide but also suicidal ideation and behaviors.
