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September 2015
Recommendations
From 8 Health Organizations |
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An estimated 32,000 persons die (88 per day) as a result of firearm-related violence, suicides, and accidents in the US, the highest rate among industrialized countries. Also, firearm injuries are double the number of deaths (1). In response to this situation, Washington University in St Louis has launched a year long examination of the problem. The effort was launched by hosting a panel in the spring of 2015 where Mark Wrighton, the Chancellor, referred to a 2013 report from the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council of The National Academies in Washington, D.C., that identified the lack of data about the public health aspects of gun violence as a serious national challenge. The IOM report called upon researchers at public health organizations and universities to dedicate resources to studying the problem and contributing to a fuller base of information. Wrighton also noted a February 2015 national call-to-action jointly issued by the nation’s leading health organizations and the American Bar Association for a public health approach to firearm-related violence and prevention of firearm injuries and death. These organizations also recommended the need for more research and data that would help decision makers address policy concerns. “As one of the world’s leading research universities – with top-ranked schools of medicine and social work and a multidisciplinary Institute of Public Health – Washington University clearly has a role to play in this important effort,” Wrighton said. “Bringing together our academic strengths to address major societal challenges is a part of our mission. Our goal, by engaging in the conversation, is to help develop real solutions that have a real chance of making a real difference and, in the process, help to reduce death and injury from firearms,” Wrighton said. The panel was the first in a series of events and discussions designed to explore three key themes regarding gun violence: What we know, what we need to know and what to do about this critical issue. What to do about the problem was addressed by the 8 Health Professional Organizations and the American Bar Association in their call to action earlier this year. They recommended: 1. Background checks for firearm purchases 2. Remove physician “gag laws” that oppose discussion with patients about firearms 3. Increase access to and coordination of mental health care 4. Pass physician reporting laws about persons that might cause harm in a fashion that protects confidentiality. 5. Restrict assault weapons. 6. Fund more research about the causes and consequences of gun violence 7. Educate about the true meaning of the 2nd amendment
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