More than 50,000 Americans suffer a violent death each year. Despite this staggering loss, most communities lack essential, coordinated data about the circumstances of these deaths—information that could help prevent this loss of life.

The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), links data from public health, law enforcement, medical examiners and social service agencies to create a more complete picture of the circumstances surrounding violent death.

Current funding is sufficient to operate NVDRS in only 17 states. But, the work of Joyce grantee, The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM), has paved the way for the first expansion of NVDRS in five years.

ACPM works to raise awareness and build support for NVDRS at the state and federal levels. ACPM leads the National Violence Prevention Network, a coalition of more than 30 national organizations that support expanding NVDRS to all 50 states. Recently, their efforts led Congress to approve a $314,000 increase in funding in the fiscal year 2009 budget. The additional funds will allow NVDRS to add approximately two new states.

“Thousands of American lives can be saved with the national expansion of this important technology,” said Paul Bonta, associate executive director for the American College of Preventative Medicine. “By tracking and understanding the circumstances around violent deaths we can ultimately reduce these tragedies in our communities.”

Before the NVDRS was created, federal and state public health and law enforcement officials collected some information about violent deaths, but lacked the ability to combine it into one comprehensive reporting system. Instead, data was held in a variety of different systems, and policymakers lacked the clear picture necessary to develop and implement effective violence prevention policies.

NVDRS tracks deaths caused by suicide, homicide, child abuse, and domestic violence as well as those from accidental discharge of firearms. The network of state-based surveillance systems makes it possible for participating states to collect valuable information such as victim demographics, location of death, and family situation before death.

At an estimated annual cost of $20 million for full implementation, NVDRS is a relatively low-cost program that yields high-quality results. While state-specific information provides enormous value to local public health and law enforcement officials, national data from all 50 states, the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia can ultimately lead to more effective national violence prevention policies and programs.

Check out organizations involved in the National Violence Prevention Network

Find out more information about the gun violence prevention programs funded by the Joyce Foundation