The CDC statistics confirm other studies which indicate that homicide rates for young, African-American males are rising. "The number of homicides involving black youths -- as victims and perpetrators -- surged by more than 30% from 2002 to 2007" according to a recent report by Northeastern University with guns being the most common method of death (Why are so many young black men being murdered, 2008, NPR). The study also found that "426 black males ages 14-17 died in gun crimes -- 40% more than in 2000; nearly 1,000 young black males used guns to kill someone in 2007 -- 38% higher than in 2000" (Why are so many young black men being murdered, 2008, NPR).

As well as helping patients on a personal level, providers can also take a role in attempting...

Working to provide counseling services; educating the community about mental health treatment; and engaging in effective anti-drug and anti-alcohol education are all ways to treat some of the roots of this pervasive problem and reduce the troubling trends of current statistics.
References

Why are so many young black men being murdered? (2008). NPR. Retrieved:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98810441

WISQARS. (2013). Injury Mortality Report. Retrieved:

http://webappa.cdc.gov/cgi-bin/broker.exe