The Puerto Rico Violent Death Reporting System (PRVDRS), affiliated with the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, published today its most recent informative bulletin detailing preliminary data on violent deaths that occurred in the archipelago between January and March 2026.

First Quarter (Q1) Summary

During these first 90 days of the year, a total of 167 violent deaths were preliminarily registered. This represents an average of approximately two violent deaths per day (1.8). The system defines a violent death as one caused by the intentional use of physical force or power against oneself (suicides), another person, or against a group or community (homicides).

Findings on Homicides

70.0% of the violent deaths registered in this period (117 cases) were homicides. Regarding the demographic profile, it stands out that 97% of the victims were men, with the population aged 20 to 39 being the most affected (for both men and women). Firearms remained the primary instrument, used in 93.0% of the reported homicides.

Findings on Suicides

23.0% of the violent deaths corresponded to suicides, for a total of 38 cases. Approximately 8 out of 10 of these victims were men. The 40 to 59 age group accounted for half of the cases (50.0%). During this first quarter, the overall suicide rate stood at 1.2 per 100,000 inhabitants.

About the PRVDRS

Established in 2016 with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the PRVDRS collects and consolidates data from the Institute of Forensic Sciences, the Puerto Rico Police Department, and the Demographic Registry. This provides a clear and precise view of violence in the archipelago to help formulate informed prevention strategies.

Public Access

We invite citizens and health and safety professionals to explore the annual reports, quarterly bulletins, and other statistical products through our interactive digital magazine and portals:

• Digital Magazine: Sistema de Notificación de Muertes Violentas de Puerto Rico (PRVDRS) | PDF to Flipbook

• Interactive Tool: PRVDRS Dashboard

• Linktree: PRVDRS | Linktree

• Official Portal: Puerto Rico Statistics | Puerto Rico Violent Death Notification System

In 2020, the Puerto Rico Aging Index was estimated in 168, meaning there were approximately 168 people aged 65 or older for every 100 people under 15. By 2025, the indicator rose to 237, reflecting that for every 100 people under 15, there were nearly 237 older adults. Learn about the geographical distribution of municipalities for this index on the Institutes' Census Data and Information page (SDC-PR).

During the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO 2026) held in Chicago, Natalia Vázquez-Colón, representing the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, presented original research on the incidence of type 1 diabetes in adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Puerto Rico.

The results showed an upward trend in incidence during the 2009–2024 period. The analysis identified a significant average annual growth of 4.1%.

The research was conducted through a collaboration between the Institute of Statistics and the Pediatric Diabetes Foundation.  Participation in ENDO 2026 allowed for sharing scientific evidence generated in Puerto Rico with a highly prestigious national and international audience of researchers, academics, and clinicians.

Access a copy of the presentation at: Trends in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Among Individuals Aged 15-19 Years in Puerto Rico.

Dr. Idania R. Rodriguez Ayuso, Executive Deputy Director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, delivered the inaugural presentation at the Puerto Rico Interoperability & Digital Health Summit 2026.

This important event was organized by the Puerto Rico Primary Healthcare Association. Dr. Rodriguez presented on "Building a Data Driven Health System for Puerto Rico."

The event was attended by staff from Puerto Rico's 330 Centers, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and federal government personnel.

Some variables are easier to measure than others, but certain questions require special care, both in how they are formulated and in the instruments are used to collect them. One of the most complex is without a doubt, that related to people's ethnic and cultural origin, and also the skin color. In the most recent newsletter of the Puerto Rico State Data Center (SDC-PR) network brief notes are shared about the research on ethnic-racial identification and colorism that has been carried out from the Institute's. Access the current newsletter here, or explore previous newsletters and press releases from the SDC-PR network.

Symposium 2026

On June 5, 2026, the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics hosted the Collective Action for Violence Prevention Symposium: Transforming Realities through Prevention and Collective Action. This event brought together professionals, public officials, organizations, and citizens interested in strengthening violence prevention efforts in Puerto Rico. The program addressed topics such as the current landscape of violence affecting infants and youth, public policy and substance use prevention, and multisectoral action for the protection of women and the eradication of sexual violence, among others. The presentations offered evidence-based analyses and multidisciplinary perspectives that contributed to the development of initiatives aimed at preventing violence, promoting safer environments, and improving the well-being of the population.

The Initiative

The purpose of the Collective Action for Violence Prevention symposium was to bring together professionals from various sectors to analyze, from an evidence-based perspective, the key challenges and strategies for preventing violence in Puerto Rico. This multisectoral initiative fostered a space for dialogue and action where organizations such as the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, the Department of Health, the Puerto Rico Police, and Iniciativa Comunitaria shared updated data on youth violence, substance use prevention policies, and the protection of women. In addition to strengthening institutional collaboration, the event offered formal training to attendees by granting hours in governmental ethics, integrating statistical rigor with social commitment to promote the safety and well-being of the population.

Special Guest Presentations

• • Mr. Alejandro Rodríguez-Putnam, Preventing Violent Firearm Deaths

• Dr. Glenda Dávila- Torres, Brega Bien Program: Risk Context

• Dr. Eduardo J. Zavala-Mendoza, Characterization of Emergency Room Visits and Hospitalizations for Overdose in Puerto Rico

• Ms. Keysha M. Maldonado Avilés, Data That Saves Lives

• Capt. Aymée M. Alvarado Cardona and Ms. Myribel H. Santiago, Sexual Assault within Domestic Violence

• Ms. Soé Rodríguez Alamo, Data for Action: Use of Tracking Systems, Hospital Audits, and Risk Assessment in Gender-Based Violence Prevention in Puerto Rico

• Ms. Edda Rocca López, Las Amigas

Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics

• Mr. Alberto L. Velázquez Estrada, Violent Deaths in Young Adults

• Dr. Diego E. Zavala, Typology of Violence Regional Context

• Dr. Francisco Pesante González, Child Maltreatment, Risk Behaviors, and Parenting Practices in Puerto Rico: A Statistical Overview

• Dr. Idania R. Rodríguez Ayuso, Sexual Coercion in Domestic Violence

Materials

Agenda

Photos

Press Releases

Summary Video

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