Pediatric Nonfatal Firearm Injury Health Care Utilization

Firearm injury is a leading cause of death among children in the United States. For every 1 child killed by a firearm, approximately 2 to 4 more are injured and survive. An emerging literature characterizes changes in health care utilization and costs attributable to survivors of pediatric firearm injuries. We provide a summary that may guide intervention efforts focused on both injury prevention and postinjury care. Among 15 studies, we found that multiple categories of health care use increased after firearm injury, including hospitalizations and readmissions, compared both to preinjury patterns and to non-firearm-injured controls. Mental health diagnoses also increased after firearm injury. Health care spending increased considerably in the first-year postinjury among both injured children and their families. There are few data addressing longer-term health care outcomes and expenditures. To quantify the continuing economic and societal impact of firearm injury as well as the cost-effectiveness of prevention efforts, longitudinal research is needed to address the health impacts on firearm-injured children, families, and communities.