The statistics about gun violence in the United States are striking.
In 2022, firearm injuries were among the five leading causes of death for people ages 1-44 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There were more than 48,000 firearm-related deaths, which is about 132 people dying from firearm-related injuries each day.
Nationwide, about one person dies every 11 minutes by suicide. About 50 percent of gun-related deaths in the United States were suicides, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Access to a gun triples the risk of death by suicide, according to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Charla Sarabia, MPH,
These statistics are why public health experts like Charla Sarabia, MPH, Injury Prevention and Community Outreach Coordinator at Mount Sinai Morningside on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, believe it is important to discuss this issue. In addition to what they see every day on the job.
“I see the issue in the community, and we are working to address it,” says Ms. Sarabia. She works with the Trauma Team in the Department of Surgery at Mount Sinai Morningside, and spends much of her time in the community, working on initiatives to help reduce injuries, sometimes with the New York Police Department and other organizations. Among the top causes of injuries she focuses on is falls by older adults, gun wounds, and accidents involving bicyclists.
Advocates say Gun Violence Awareness Month is the time to reflect on the lives lost and families changed by gun violence, honor the victims, support survivors, and discuss ways to reduce gun violence.
Gun safety and injury prevention is also a special concern for the nation’s pediatricians. In 2020, firearm-related injuries became the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States aged 1 to 19, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Injuries from firearms are now the leading cause of death in children aged 17 and under in the United States,” says Louis Spina, MD, Director, Pediatric Emergency Department, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital. “The most effective way to prevent unintentional injuries from firearms is by removing them from the home and any environment where kids actively stay or play.”
Ms. Sarabia offers these four basic reasons for addressing this issue, based on analysis by the CDC:
- Many gun-related injuries and deaths are preventable through education, safe storage practices, and community interventions.
- Gun violence is a major public health crisis, leading to physical injuries, long-term disabilities, and emotional trauma for victims and their families.
- Promoting responsible gun ownership and safe practices can significantly reduce accidental shootings, especially among children and adolescents.
- By fostering a culture of awareness and prevention, organizations can help create safer communities where everyone feels secure and supported.
• Always keep your gun unloaded, locked away and out of reach of children.
• Always keep the ammunition in a separate location from the gun.
• Use a gun lock box or gun safe for the firearm; keeping all lock box codes, combinations, and/or keys out of reach of children.
• Talk to your children about guns and teach them to tell an adult immediately if they see one.
• Most importantly, always keep an eye on the children and never leave them unsupervised in a home or location with a gun.