NVDRS Resources

CDC provides technical assistance for the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) in the form of manuals and complementary resources.
For further information on NVDRS, contact dvpinquiries@cdc.gov.
Fact Sheets:
- NVDRS Overview pdf icon[372 KB, 2 Pages, 508]
This fact sheet describes how the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) helps CDC monitor and track deaths related to violence. It also provides information on the benefits and challenges of NVDRS, examples of program highlights, and next steps. Also available in Spanish pdf icon[194 KB, 2 Pages, 508] - NVDRS and Law Enforcement pdf icon[722 KB, 2 Pages, 508]
This fact sheet describes how the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) allows law enforcement to have a comprehensive view of violent deaths. Also available in Spanish pdf icon[146 KB, 2 Pages, 508] - NVDRS and Coroner/Medical Examiner Partners pdf icon[577 KB, 2 Pages, 508]
This factsheet describes the essential role coroners and medical examiners have in NVDRS. Also available in Spanish pdf icon[134 KB, 2 Pages, 508] - NVDRS and Vital Registrars pdf icon[3 MB, 2 Pages]
This factsheet describes the essential role vital registrars have in NVDRS. Also available in Spanish pdf icon[2 MB, 2 Pages]
CDC Manuals:
- NVDRS Implementation Manual pdf icon[1.83 MB, 67 Pages, 508]
The NVDRS Implementation Manual is a training tool for public or private agencies that want to implement a violent death reporting system in their jurisdictions. The manual provides helpful information on what types of data to collect, where to collect them, and how to work best with data providers. - NVDRS Coding Manual pdf icon[2 MB, 250 Pages, 508]
The NVDRS Web Coding Manual is a reference document for defining cases, entering data, and checking data once it is entered. It contains information about individual variables and the way the data are structured.
CDC Tools:
- NVDRS Infographic
This infographic shows how data from the National Violent Death Reporting System can help prevent violent deaths.
Success Stories:
NVDRS increases our knowledge about where violent deaths occur, who is most at risk, and the factors that contribute to violent deaths. These data provide the foundation for building successful strategies for preventing violence so that all communities are safe and free from violence and people can live to their full potential. The following success stories demonstrate significant efforts from states using NVDRS data to inform prevention-focused programming.
- NVDRS: Stories from the Frontlines of Violent Death Surveillance pdf icon[6.44 MB, 18 pages, Print Only]external icon
This 2017 report produced by Safe States Alliance includes an overview of NVDRS and profiles of how nine states translated NVDRS data into action. - Data Help Describe Suicide Problem in Utah [250 KB, 2 Pages, 508]
The Utah Department of Health’s Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP) used NVDRS data to develop a suicide awareness toolkit to equip local media to more adequately report on suicide trends in the state. - Oklahoma: Oklahoma used NVDRS data on intimate partner violence homicides to evaluate the effectiveness of a pilot lethality assessment program. Police responding to domestic violence incidents connected victims at high risk for homicide with a local domestic violence service provider. Compared to the control group, women in the program reported experiencing significantly less violence were more likely to apply for an order of protection and were more likely to receive domestic violence services. The lethality assessment program is now being implemented statewide.
- Colorado: The Colorado Department of Health used NVDRS data on suicide among middle-aged men to develop a web-based suicide prevention initiative to engage and help connect men with appropriate resources. Initial web analytics show 83% of survey respondents reporting that they would recommend the site to a friend in need.
- Rhode Island: NVDRS data showed the adult working-age population as being at increased risk for suicide and suicide attempts. A symposium was conducted with the two largest employers in the state to increase awareness of depression and suicide among working-age adults and provide strategies for integrating suicide prevention into worksites.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs):
This is a list of MMWRs published within the last 5 years. For a complete list of NVDRS MMWRs, please visit the MMWR website.
- Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 32 States, 2016
- Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 27 States, 2015
- Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 17 States, 2014
- Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 17 States, 2013
- Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 17 States, 2012
- Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 17 States, 2011
NVDRS increases our knowledge about where violent deaths occur, who is most at risk, and the factors that contribute to violent deaths. These data provide the foundation for building successful strategies for preventing violence so that all communities are safe and free from violence and people can live to their full potential. The following success stories demonstrate significant efforts from states using NVDRS data to inform prevention-focused programming.
- NVDRS: Stories from the Frontlines of Violent Death Surveillance pdf icon[6.44 MB, 18 pages, Print Only]external icon
This 2017 report produced by Safe States Alliance includes an overview of NVDRS and profiles of how nine states translated NVDRS data into action. - Data Help Describe Suicide Problem in Utah [250 KB, 2 Pages, 508]
The Utah Department of Health’s Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP) used NVDRS data to develop a suicide awareness toolkit to equip local media to more adequately report on suicide trends in the state. - Oklahoma: Oklahoma used NVDRS data on intimate partner violence homicides to evaluate the effectiveness of a pilot lethality assessment program. Police responding to domestic violence incidents connected victims at high risk for homicide with a local domestic violence service provider. Compared to the control group, women in the program reported experiencing significantly less violence were more likely to apply for an order of protection and were more likely to receive domestic violence services. The lethality assessment program is now being implemented statewide.
- Colorado: The Colorado Department of Health used NVDRS data on suicide among middle-aged men to develop a web-based suicide prevention initiative to engage and help connect men with appropriate resources. Initial web analytics show 83% of survey respondents reporting that they would recommend the site to a friend in need.
- Rhode Island: NVDRS data showed the adult working-age population as being at increased risk for suicide and suicide attempts. A symposium was conducted with the two largest employers in the state to increase awareness of depression and suicide among working-age adults and provide strategies for integrating suicide prevention into worksites.
Homicide
- Logan JE, Ertl A, Bossarte R. Correlates of intimate partner homicide among male suicide decedents with known intimate partner problemsexternal icon. Suicide and Life‐Threatening Behavior. 2019 Jun 12. DOI: 1111/sltb.12567external icon
- Petrosky E, Blair JM, Betz CJ, Fowler KA, Jack SPD, Lyons BH. Racial and ethnic differences in homicides of adult women and the role of intimate partner violence – United States, 2003-2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017 Jul 21;66(28):741-746. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6628a1.
- Blair JM, Fowler KA, Betz CJ, Baumgardner JL. Occupational homicides of law enforcement officers, 2003-2013: data from the National Violent Death Reporting Systemexternal icon. Am J Prev Med 2016;51(5S3):S188-S196. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.08.019.
- Crosby AE, Lyons BH. Assessing homicides by and of U.S. law-enforcement officersexternal icon. N Engl J Med 2016;20;375(16):1509-1511.
- DeGue S, Fowler KA, Calkins C. Deaths due to use of lethal force by law enforcement: findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 17 U.S. States, 2009-2012external icon. Am J Prev Med 2016;51(5S3):S173-S187. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.08.027.
Suicide
- Patrician PA, Peterson C, McGuinness TM. Original Research: Suicide Among RNs: An Analysis of 2015 Data from the National Violent Death Reporting Systemexternal icon. Am J Nurs. 2020 Oct;120(10):24-28. doi: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000718624.25806.3f.
- Peterson C, Sussell A, Li J, Schumacher PK, Yeoman K, Stone DM. Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation — National Violent Death Reporting System, 32 States, 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:57–62. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6903a1external icon.
- Dixon KJ, Ertl AM, Leavitt RA, Sheats KJ, Fowler KA, Jack SPD. Suicides Among Incarcerated Persons in 18 U.S. States: Findings From the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003-2014.external icon J Correct Health Care. 2020 Jul;26(3):279-291. doi: 10.1177/1078345820939512.
- Witte TK, Spitzer EG, Edwards N, Fowler KA, Nett RJ. Suicides and deaths of undetermined intent among veterinary professionals from 2003 through 2014.external icon J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2019 Sep 1;255(5):595-608. doi: 10.2460/javma.255.5.595.
- Lyons BH, Walters ML, Jack SP, Petrosky E, Blair JM, Ivey-Stephenson AZ. Suicides among lesbian and gay male individuals: findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System.external icon American journal of preventive medicine. 2019 Apr 1;56(4):512-21. DOI: 1016/j.amepre.2018.11.012external icon
- Tian N, Zack M, Fowler KA, Hesdorffor DC. Suicide Timing in 18 States of the United States from 2003–2014external icon. Archives of Suicide Research. 2019 Apr 3;23(2):261-72. DOI: 1080/13811118.2018.1472689external icon
- Annor FB, Zwald ML, Wilkinson A, et al. Characteristics of and precipitating circumstances surrounding suicide among persons aged 10–17 years — Utah, 2011–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:329–332. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6711a.
- Leavitt RA, Ertl A, Sheats K, Petrosky E, Ivey-Stephenson A, Fowler KA. Suicides among American Indian/Alaska Natives – National Violent Death Reporting System, 18 States, 2003-2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018 Mar 2;67(8):237-242. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6708a1.
- Petrosky E, Harpaz R, Fowler KA, Bohm MK, Helmick CG, Yuan K, Betz CJ. Chronic pain among suicide decedents, 2003 to 2014: findings from the National Violent Death Reporting Systemexternal icon. Ann Intern Med 2018. doi: 10.7326/M18-0830.
- Stone DM, Simon TR, Fowler KA, et al. Vital Signs: trends in state suicide rates — United States, 1999–2016 and circumstances contributing to suicide — 27 states, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:617–624. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6722a1.
- Holland KM, Vivolo-Kantor AM, Logan JE, Leemis RW. Antecedents of suicide among youth aged 11-15: a multistate mixed methods analysisexternal icon. J Youth Adolesc 2017;46(7):1598-1610. doi: 10.1007/s10964-016-0610-3.
- Logan JE, Fowler KA, Patel NP, Holland KM. Suicide among military personnel and veterans aged 18-35 years by county-16 statesexternal icon. Am J Prev Med 2016;51(5S3): S197-S208. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.06.001.
- Stone DM, Holland KM, Schiff LB, McIntosh WL. Mixed methods analysis of sex differences in life stressors of middle-aged suicidesexternal icon. Am J Prev Med 2016;51(5S3): S209-S218. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.07.021.
- Tian N, Cui W, Zack M, Kobau R, Fowler KA, Hesdorffer DC. Suicide among people with epilepsy: a population-based analysis of data from the U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System, 17 states, 2003-2011external icon. Epilepsy Behav 2016;61:210–7. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.05.028.
Other topics
- Peterson, C, Schumacher, PK, Steege, AL. Demographic considerations in analyzing decedents by usual occupationexternal icon. American journal of industrial medicine. 2020 Aug 1;63(8), 663–675. doi.org/10.1002/ajim.23123.
- Fowler KA, Dahlberg LL, Haileyesus T, Gutierrez C, Bacon S. Childhood firearm injuries in the United Statesexternal icon. Pediatrics 2017;140(1). pii: e20163486. doi: 10.1542/peds.2016-3486.
- Blair JM, Fowler KA, Jack SPD, Crosby AE. The National Violent Death Reporting System: overview and future directionsexternal icon. Inj Prev 2016;22:Suppl 1 i6-i11.
- Crosby AE, Mercy JA, Houry D. The National Violent Death Reporting System: past, present, and futureexternal icon. Am J Prev Med 2016;51(5S3):S169-S172. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.07.022.