Oklahoma Violent Death Reporting System
The Oklahoma Violent Death Reporting System (OKVDRS) is a public health, population-based surveillance system that contains detailed information on deaths resulting from violence. The OKVDRS is an incident-based database that combines information from multiple sources, including death certificates, medical examiner reports, and law enforcement reports creating a rich data source for prevention planning. The OKVDRS collects data on:
- homicides
- suicides
- unintentional firearm deaths
- legal intervention deaths
- terrorism
- violent deaths of an undetermined manner
The OKVDRS provides injury and violence prevention specialists, policymakers, public health officials, law enforcement, and community members and partners with timely information on the victims, suspects, relationships, circumstances, and weapons that are associated with fatal incidents of violence in Oklahoma. This data collection helps to not only understand the “who, when, where, and how” but also “why” these deaths occurred. The OKVDRS began collecting data in January 2004.
The OKVDRS is part of a larger, national system supported by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Today, all 50 states and two territories (Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia) are funded to collect data for the national system. Learn more about the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS).
During 2017-2021, an average of 1,164 Oklahomans died each year as a result of violence.
- Suicide was the leading type of violent death, accounting for an average of 797 deaths per year.
- Mental health issues, intimate partner problems, depressed mood, and physical health problems were the most common circumstances associated with suicide.
- Homicide was the second leading type of violent death, accounting for an average of 268 deaths per year.
- Arguments, criminal activity, intimate partner violence, and drug involvement were the circumstances most often associated with homicide.
- Undetermined manner/intent was the third leading type of violent death, accounting for an average of 40 deaths per year.
- Overall, males (77%) were more likely to be victims of violent death than females (23%).
- Firearms were the weapon used in 62% of all violent deaths, including 60% of suicides and 71% of homicides.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health collaborates with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to collect the data.
- OKVDRS Brief Report
- OKVDRS Suicide Regional Fact Sheets
- Region 1: Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers, and Washington Counties
- Region 3: Tulsa County
- Region 6: Atoka, Choctaw, Coal, Haskell, Hughes, Latimer, LeFlore, McCurtain, Pittsburg, and Pushmataha Counties
- Region 7: Bryan, Carter, Garvin, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Murray, Pontotoc, and Seminole Counties
- Region 8: Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Stephens, and Tillman Counties
- Region 9: Caddo, Beckham, Blaine, Custer, Greer, Kiowa, Roger Mills, and Washita Counties
- Region 10: Alfalfa, Beaver, Cimarron, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Grant, Harper, Major, Texas, Woods, and Woodward Counties
- Region 11: Kay, Noble, Osage, Pawnee, and Payne Counties
- Region 13: Creek, Okfuskee, and Okmulgee Counties
- Region 14: Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, and Pottawatomie Counties
- Region 15: Cleveland and McClain Counties
- Region 16: McIntosh and Muskogee Counties
- Region 17: Canadian and Grady Counties
- Region 18: Oklahoma County
- Region 21: Adair, Cherokee, Sequoyah, and Wagoner Counties
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Injury Prevention Service
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave., Suite 1702
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406
Physical Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Injury Prevention Service
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK
Telephone: (405) 426-8440
Fax: (405) 900-7588
Email: injury@health.ok.gov
