Preventing Firearm Violence

Summary

Fireann injuries and deaths are a critical public health issue. In 1994, firearm injuries resulted in 38,505 deaths, making them the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. There is a growing body of knowledge about the epidemiology of these injuries, and information about risk factors is beginning to emerge. Yet, health professionals have been reluctant to address the issue of firearm-related violence within their practices. Although the reasons for this are poorly understood, evidence suggests it is a combination of misconceptions regarding the relative importance of firearms as a hazard, lack of knowledge about how to approach this issue with patients, and a reluctance to address an emotionally charged issue. This article describes a curriculum to teach health professionals how to counsel their patients about firearm injury prevention. Basic background information regarding firearms and the epidemiology of firearm injuries is provided and some of the common myths surrounding firearms are discussed. A curriculum to teach firearm injury prevention skills is then presented.