NOTE: Please Add Your State Name in Placeholders (See Highlighted Text in Brackets)

NOTE: Please add your state name in placeholders (see highlighted text in brackets).

EMAIL TEMPLATE for state to use when forwarding the report: GENERIC

I am pleased to share NVDRS: Stories from the Frontlines of Violent Death Surveillance, a recently released report from the Safe States Alliance. The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) links data from vital statistics, medical examiners and coroners, law enforcement, crime laboratories and other sources to provide – for the first time – a more complete understanding of violent deaths in the United States. The NVDRS was established in 2002 through funding from CDC and operates in 18 states. The ultimate goal is to expand NVDRS participation to all U.S. states and territories.

Using a storytelling approach and colorful infographics, this report provides a unique way to communicate how the NVDRS works and how it benefits the states participating in it. The report includes an Overview of the NVDRS and six State Profiles. Each profile:

tells a story of a typical violent death in the state by showing what information is gleaned from NVDRS sources to provide a more complete picture of a death (not a real death, to protect confidentiality),
looks at the big picture for a specific type of violent death in the state through recent rates and trends generated by the state’s violent death reporting system, and
shows how states have translated their NVDRS data into actions targeting and informing violence prevention efforts at state and local levels.

I hope you find the report helpful, engaging and relevant to your prevention work.

Thank you,

[Name]

[Title]

[Contact info]

For more information on the NVDRS from the Safe States Alliance, contact Kristen Lindemer, or (770) 690-9000, ext 100.

EMAIL TEMPLATE for state to use when forwarding the report: TO STATE LEADERS
[Public Health Officer, ME/Coroner, Law Enforcement, etc]

I am pleased to share NVDRS: Stories from the Frontlines of Violent Death Surveillance, a recently released report from the Safe States Alliance. [Your state] participates in the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), which links data from vital statistics, medical examiners and coroners, law enforcement, crime laboratories and other sources to provide – for the first time – a more complete understanding of violent deaths in the United States. The NVDRS was established in 2002 through funding from CDC and operates in 18 states (including [your state]). The ultimate goal is to expand NVDRS participation to all U.S. states and territories.

Engaging and informative, this report is particularly relevant to the work of your agency. Through a storytelling approach, colorful infographics and six State Profiles, the report:

provides a brief overview of the NVDRS and how it works,
shows how NVDRS states such as [your state] link data from multiple sources to provide the most complete, one-of-a-kind picture available of specific types of violent deaths (e.g., suicide, domestic violence, child maltreatment, elder abuse, homicide-suicides),
gives examples of how state violent death reporting systems have translated NVDRS data into actions that inform violence prevention efforts at state and local levels, and
can help sustain support for [your state’s] participation in the NVDRS.

Please consider sharing this report with your colleagues or program partners. You can also share thisPowerPoint presentation about how the NVDRS works and benefits states which participate in it. A link to CDC’s NVDRS website and state violent death reporting system websites can be accessed at

I hope you find the report and tools helpful. Let me know if I can provide any further information about our state’s violent death reporting system or the NVDRS.

Thank you,

[Name]

[Title]

[Contact info]

For more information on the NVDRS from the Safe States Alliance, contact Kristen Lindemer, or (770) 690-9000, ext 100.

EMAIL TEMPLATE for state to use when forwarding the report: TO STATE & LOCAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION PARTNERS

Engaging and informative, this report is particularly relevant to an organization with a vested interest in violence prevention. Through a storytelling approach, colorful infographics and six State Profiles, the report:

provides a brief overview of the NVDRS and how it works,
shows how NVDRS states such as [your state] link data from multiple sources to provide the most complete, one-of-a-kind picture available of specific types of violent deaths (e.g., suicide, domestic violence, child maltreatment, elder abuse, homicide-suicides),
gives examples of how state violent death reporting systems have translated NVDRS data into actions that inform violence prevention efforts at state and local levels, and
can help sustain support for [your state’s] participation in the NVDRS.

The Safe States Alliance has developed tools you can use to share the report. They can be accessed at and include:

A PDF: “How to Use this Report: Tips for Violence Prevention Partners”,
Templates for sharing the report via email, Twitter and your organization’s website,
a PowerPoint presentation for sharing with colleagues about how the NVDRS works and benefits states which participate in it, and
Links to CDC’s NVDRS website and state violent death reporting system websites.

I hope you find the report and tools helpful. Let me know if I can provide any further information about the NVDRS.

Thank you,

[Name]

[Title]

[Contact info]

For more information on the NVDRS from the Safe States Alliance, contact Kristen Lindemer, or (770) 690-9000, ext 100.