Moving Beyond Thoughts and Prayers: Creating a Firearm-Related Injury Task Force

Abstract

Firearm injuries among children have increased dramatically, creating a public health crisis. Academic medical centers should address this critical public health need, but often struggle to apply their resources and methodological expertise to move beyond public statements to real action. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, a large quaternary care academic medical center, serves as the American College of Surgeons Level I pediatric trauma center for the region. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital has established a task force to reduce firearm-related injuries in the area. Key challenges have included staying within scope, building momentum, standardizing communication, and balancing aspirational change with practical progress. Such initiatives require buy-in from institutional leaders and building a team that is balanced between members with decision-making authority and members who execute the work.