Self-directed Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements

Self-directed violence (SDV) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States and worldwide. Though numerous organizations collect information on fatal and non-fatal SDV, there is considerable confusion about how to define the phenomenon. To address the current lack of uniform definitions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposes the following surveillance* definitions for SDV. Use of consistent terminology
with standardized definitions will improve communication among researchers, clinicians, and others working in this important area.

In this document, the term “surveillance” is used in the public health sense and is defined as the ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of data regarding a health-related event for use in public health action. to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve health