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Pediatric Firearm Injury Mortality Epidemiology
Annie L Andrews1, Xzavier Killings2, Elizabeth R Oddo1
1Departments of Pediatrics.
Pediatrics
|February 28, 2022
Summary
Firearm injuries are now the leading cause of death for U.S. youth, surpassing car crashes. Black youth experience disproportionately higher firearm mortality rates, highlighting critical racial inequities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Firearm injury is a major preventable cause of death for young people in the U.S.
- Youth firearm mortality trends and disparities require urgent investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze firearm injury mortality trends among U.S. youth (0-19 years) from 2001-2019.
- To compare firearm deaths with motor vehicle collision deaths.
- To examine racial disparities in firearm mortality, particularly between Black and White youth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web-based injury statistics query and reporting system (WISQARS).
- Conducted regression analysis to assess changes in mortality rates over time, focusing on race/ethnicity and intent (homicide, suicide, unintentional).
Main Results:
- In 2019, firearm injuries became the leading cause of death for U.S. youth aged 0-19, exceeding motor vehicle collisions.
- Homicide was the most common intent overall; suicide was a significant factor in older youth (10-19).
- Black youth had a 4.3 times higher overall firearm mortality rate and over 14 times higher homicide rate than White youth in 2019. Significant widening of the gap was observed after 2013.
Conclusions:
- Firearm injuries represent a growing public health crisis for U.S. youth, with significant and increasing racial inequities.
- Urgent physician advocacy and public health interventions are needed to address preventable firearm deaths and reduce racial disparities in violence.