Guns are now the leading cause of death among children in the United States, according to a new study. The study, which analyzed data from 2018 to 2021, reveals a staggering 42% increase in firearm-related deaths in this age group. Dr. Chethan Sathya, the study’s author and a pediatric trauma surgeon, warns that the rate of firearm violence in the country is skyrocketing and getting worse. What’s even more concerning is the growing racial and economic disparities in rates of firearm violence, with Black children being the most affected.
The study found that unintentional injuries caused by firearms in homes contribute to the majority of these deaths. However, firearm homicide, mainly violence and assault, is the primary driver of these rates. Contrary to popular belief, mass shootings account for only a small fraction of firearm-related deaths in children.
In 2020, the number of children killed by guns increased by 28.8%, likely due to the surge in gun purchases during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers hoped that these numbers would return to pre-pandemic levels in 2021, but unfortunately, they continued to rise. In 2021, there were 4,752 firearm deaths in children, which represented an 8.8% increase from the previous year.
The study highlights some alarming statistics regarding the demographics of these deaths. In 2021, 64.3% of the victims were killed in homicides, nearly 30% died by suicide, and 3.5% resulted from unintentional injury. Additionally, 84.8% of the victims were male, approximately half were Black, and 82.6% were between the ages of 15 and 19.
Black children bore the brunt of firearm homicides, with 67.3% of such deaths affecting this demographic. On the other hand, white children accounted for 78.4% of firearm suicides. Interestingly, the suicide rate increased among both Black and white children, but it decreased among American Indians and Alaskan Natives.
The study also identified regional disparities, with worsening clusters of firearm deaths in Southern states and increasing rates in the Midwest from 2018 to 2021. Additionally, it found that higher poverty levels were associated with a greater number of gun-related deaths in children.
To reverse these alarming trends, the study suggests implementing policy changes to address access to weapons and other contributing factors. Dr. Sathya emphasizes the importance of healthcare professionals discussing guns in the home and their storage. He recommends ensuring that guns are unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition. Furthermore, efforts should be made to control the illegal flow of guns and invest in community-based prevention programs.
The study’s findings echo the observations of Dr. Monika Goyal, an associate division chief of emergency medicine. Dr. Goyal emphasizes the need to stop politicizing this issue and instead invest in evidence-based strategies for firearm safety.
It is crucial to recognize that gun violence in children is a public health issue that requires collective action. By reframing the discussion around public health rather than focusing on political aspects, opportunities for progress and implementing effective prevention strategies can be maximized.
The study, published in the September issue of Pediatrics, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to protect the lives of our children. Gun violence should not be a reality they have to face, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.
