Youth homicide in Mexico and its impact in male life expectancy: geographical variations and associated factors

Salud Colect. 2019 Mar 14:15:e1712. doi: 10.18294/sc.2019.1712.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of youth homicide (between 15 and 29 years of age) on male life expectancy in Mexico and its 32 states in the periods 2004-2006 and 2014-2016, and identifies the factors that best explain the variations in the years of male life expectancy lost (YMLEL) due to youth homicide at the state level in 2014-2016. Based on official data, male temporary life expectancy (MTLE) between 0 to 85 years of age and years of male life expectancy lost, in total and due to youth homicide, were calculated in each three-year period. Through a linear regression analysis, factors associated with the variations of the years of male life expectancy lost due to youth homicide among states were identified. The male temporary life expectancy decreased between the three-year periods in the country and in 25 states; years of male life expectancy lost due to youth homicide increased in 31 states, in eight of them with a figure higher than 0.5 years in the 2014-2016 period. Factors such as the presence of drug trafficking, illegal firearms and the perception of insecurity explain the variations in the years of male life expectancy lost due to youth homicide within the Mexican states in the 2014-2016 period.

Se analiza el impacto del homicidio juvenil (entre 15 y 29 años) en la esperanza de vida masculina en México y sus 32 estados en los trienios 2004-2006 y 2014-2016, y se identifican los factores que mejor explican las variaciones en los años de esperanza de vida masculina perdidos (AEVMP) por homicidio juvenil a nivel estatal en 2014-2016. A partir de datos oficiales, se calcularon la esperanza de vida temporaria masculina (EVTM) entre 0 y 85 años y los años de esperanza de vida masculina perdidos, total y por homicidio juvenil. Mediante un análisis de regresión lineal, se identificaron factores asociados con las variaciones de los años de esperanza de vida masculina perdidos por homicidio juvenil entre estados. La esperanza de vida temporaria masculina decreció entre ambos trienios en el país y en 25 estados, mientras que los años de esperanza de vida masculina perdidos por homicidio juvenil se incrementaron en 31 estados, en ocho de ellos la cifra fue superior a 0,5 en 2014-2016. Factores como la presencia del narcotráfico, de armas de fuego ilegales y la percepción de inseguridad explican las variaciones de los años de esperanza de vida masculina perdidos por homicidio juvenil entre estados en 2014-2016.

Keywords: Homicide; Adolescent; Young Adult; Life Expectancy; Violence; Mexico.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Homicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Life Expectancy*
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Mexico
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Young Adult