The Iowa Violent Death Reporting System (IAVDRS) is funded by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to collect data on violent deaths for the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). Using multiple source records, IAVDRS gathers information on causes of death and contributing circumstances and enters the data into a national database.
IAVDRS operates in partnership with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) and the University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center (UI IPRC). Together, these agencies collaborate to collect, analyze, and share data to improve understanding of violent deaths and support prevention strategies across the state.
IAVDRS gathers information from:
- Death certificates
- Medical examiner reports
- Law enforcement investigative reports
These records are used to identify circumstances surrounding:
- Homicides
- Suicides
- Deaths resulting from law enforcement intervention
- Unintentional firearm injury deaths
- Deaths of undetermined intent
- Deaths resulting from terrorism
For questions about the IAVDRS program, collaboration opportunities, or general inquiries, contact Derma Lizeth Rivera Aguirre, Program Manager,
Email: [email protected]
Dashboards Coming Soon
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Homicide Dashboard
- Suicide Dashboard
Reports
For reports from previous year, contact Derma Rivera, VDRS Program Manager
Program Authority and Confidentiality
Iowa HHS is authorized to operate IAVDRS under the following Iowa Code sections:
- Section 136.3 §2c – State Board of Health duties and responsibilities
- Section 135.11 §1 – Duties of the department of public health
- Section 135.40 – allows Iowa HHS to collect data for purposes of reducing morbidity and mortality
Confidentiality procedures are detailed in the IAVDRS Confidentiality Procedures (322.48 KB) .pdf document.
Advisory Committee
The IAVDRS Advisory Committee provides guidance on program priorities, data analysis, and strategic planning. Membership includes representatives from state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and—most importantly—community members whose lived experience and local knowledge are essential to shaping effective violence and suicide prevention efforts. Meetings occur quarterly and are conducted in a hybrid format, offering both virtual and in‑person participation options.
For information regarding meeting attendance or membership, please contact Derma Lizeth Rivera at [email protected]
Data Request Process
Request Review
The Program Director reviews the submitted aggregated data request to ensure it is complete and aligns with program requirements.
Clarifying Questions (If Needed)
If additional information or clarification is required, the Program Director will contact the requester to obtain the necessary details.
Timeline Provided
Most aggregated data requests are completed within two weeks.
Requests involving small counts may require data suppression to maintain confidentiality.
Certain requests may require additional approval from Iowa HHS leadership
Aggregated Data Requests
Interested parties may request aggregated data by emailing the Program Director.
Process:
- Request reviewed
- Clarifying questions issued if needed
- Estimated timeline provided
- Data prepared by the program epidemiologist or analyst
- Approved data delivered
Most aggregated requests are completed within two weeks.
Small counts may require suppression. Some requests may require approval from Iowa HHS leadership.
Confidential or Detailed Data Requests
Requests involving confidential data require a formal research data request. These may take six months or longer.
For guidance or timelines, contact [email protected]