Trends and Disparities in Firearm Deaths Among Children

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Pediatric Mortality

Background:

• Firearm injuries surpassed all other causes of death for U.S. children and adolescents in 2020.
• This study examines the most recent 2021 data on pediatric firearm deaths and associated disparities to identify trends.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate 2021 data on U.S. pediatric firearm deaths and disparities.
• To understand trends in pediatric firearm mortality compared to previous years.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) database.
• Analyzed firearm mortality data for children and adolescents from 2018 to 2021, including death rates per 100,000 persons.
• Mapped geographic disparities and calculated correlations between firearm death rates and state poverty levels.

Main Results:

• Firearms remained the leading cause of death for U.S. children in 2021, with a 41.6% increase in the death rate from 2018-2021.
• In 2021, firearm deaths disproportionately affected males (84.8%), Black children (49.9%), and adolescents aged 15-19 (82.6%). Homicides accounted for 64.3% of deaths, with Black children experiencing a significant increase.
• Suicide rates increased for Black and White children, while firearm death rates showed worsening clusters in Southern and Midwestern states, correlating strongly with higher poverty levels (R = 0.76).

Conclusions:

• U.S. pediatric firearm deaths continued to rise in 2021, exacerbating existing disparities.
• Urgent implementation of targeted prevention strategies and policies is critical for communities most affected by firearm violence.