[Violent causes of death in young people of 10 to 24 years old. Argentina 1991 - 2000].

Objective: to study the most frequent death causes between young people during 1991 to 2000. We worked at the Epidemiological Research Center of the Buenos Aires Academy of Medicine, with all the country's death dates certified by the Ministry of Health. Argentine young population (10 to 24 years old) was of about 10,000,000 people, after the increase of 15% during the studied period.

Material And Methods: The population studied were all violent causes of death of people between 10 to 24 years old, of Argentina, since 1991 to 2000. The violent causes of death studied were: Accident (other than traffic), traffic accidents, suicide, homicide, between 10-14 year old, 15-19 year old and 20-24 year old, male and female youngsters.

Statistical Analysis: Mortality rates were calculated on yearly basis per province and per country.

Results: Of 100% of death causes among 10-24 years old adolescents: 15% were accidents (non traffic), 14,6 traffic accidents, 10,1% homicides and 9,1% were suicides. Mortality rates were higher for males, in all ages and during all the period. We observed an increase in external causes of death during 1991 to 2000. Mortality rates of homicide and suicide increased for males between 1991 and 2000.

Discussion: Adolescents (15-19 year old) and male gender are risk factors for external causes of death (accidents, aggression and suicide). The results of this study showed that mortality by violent causes should be a priority problem for the Public Health and for all the community.