Firearm-related deaths in Tennessee children
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Pediatric firearm deaths, particularly homicides, are rising among older children and Black youth in Tennessee. Lower neighborhood opportunity is linked to increased homicide risk, highlighting disparities in firearm injury outcomes.
Area Of Science
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Forensic Pathology
Background
- Pediatric firearm injuries present a growing public health crisis with increasing mortality.
- Existing research often relies on hospital data, necessitating broader analyses of mortality indicators.
- This study examines firearm-related deaths among children using data from the Tennessee Chief Medical Examiner (CME).
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate mortality indicators and disparities in pediatric firearm-related deaths.
- To analyze demographic, injury patterns, and geographic factors associated with child firearm fatalities.
- To identify trends in firearm-related homicides and suicides among children in Tennessee.
Main Methods
- Retrospective cross-sectional study of 643 pediatric firearm death certificates (ages 0-17) from the Tennessee CME (2012-2022).
- Analysis of death certificate demographics, autopsy findings for injury patterns, and geocoded residential data using the Child Opportunity Index (COI).
- Statistical analysis including Pearson, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon, and linear regression modeling.
Main Results
- Significant increases in pediatric firearm homicides (n=369) and suicides (n=202) were observed over the study period.
- Firearm deaths were more prevalent in older children (median age 16), with most homicides affecting Black youth and suicides affecting white youth.
- Lower COI levels correlated with a higher risk of homicide, and head wounds were common across all firearm death manners.
Conclusions
- Homicide rates have increased and remain the predominant manner of firearm death among children in Tennessee.
- Findings highlight age- and manner-specific disparities in lethal firearm injuries, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
- The study underscores the link between socioeconomic factors, race, and firearm violence impacting children.
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