Pediatric Firearm Deaths and Injuries in the United States

Abstract

Abstract Guns are the third leading cause of death of those aged 1 to 17 years, outpaced only by unintentional injuries such as car crashes and drowning, and illnesses like cancer according to a new federal study. The new study, which has been called the most comprehensive examination of current firearms-related deaths and injury among children in the United States used data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Violent Death Reporting System to assess the magnitude and characteristics of firearm-related deaths and injuries among children (age 0–17 years) from 2002 to 2014. On average 1297 children under the age of 18 die from gunshot wounds each year. Outside of deaths in the course of law enforcement, there were an average of 693 homicides, 493 suicides and 82 unintentional deaths annually. In addition to deaths, there were 5790 nonfatal injuries from gunshot wounds each year. The issue of firearm violence is increasingly viewed as a public health issue and health care providers have a role in discussing firearm related issues with their patients and communities. A number of programs and sites are available to help health care providers educate themselves about gun violence and become advocates for sensible, effective solutions.