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Firearm injury in America
C William Schwab1, Therese Richmond, Maura Dunfey
1School of Medicine, Firearm Injury Center at Penn, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
LDI Issue Brief
|January 17, 2003
Summary
Firearm injuries caused nearly 29,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2000, primarily from suicide and homicide. Public health strategies are crucial for reducing firearm violence and its devastating impact.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Firearm injuries represent a significant public health crisis in the U.S.
- In 2000, approximately 29,000 deaths resulted from firearm injuries.
- Suicide and homicide accounted for the vast majority (96%) of these fatalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of firearm violence as a public health issue.
- To highlight the work of the Firearm Injury Center at Penn (FICAP) in addressing firearm injury.
- To discuss public health approaches for reducing firearm violence.
Main Methods:
- Review of national mortality data for firearm injuries.
- Description of the multidisciplinary approach of the Firearm Injury Center at Penn (FICAP).
- Synthesis of public health principles applied to violence prevention.
Main Results:
- Firearm deaths in the U.S. exceeded 29,000 in 2000.
- Suicides constituted 58% and homicides 38% of firearm deaths.
- For every firearm death, at least two individuals survived with injuries, often leading to permanent disability.
Conclusions:
- Firearm violence is a major cause of death and disability in the United States.
- A public health framework is essential for understanding and mitigating firearm injury.
- Collaborative efforts, like those of FICAP, are vital for developing and implementing effective violence reduction strategies.