Addressing Gun Violence as a Public Health Epidemic

Gun violence has long been a pressing issue in the United States, with a steady increase in deaths and injuries since the mid-2000s. Experts at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research symposium, titled 'Addressing Gun Violence as a Public Health Epidemic,' took a cue from how health officials approach epidemics of disease to tackle this problem. President Biden has also referred to the surge in gun violence as a 'gun violence epidemic,' emphasizing the need for urgent action.

The label 'epidemic' creates a sense of emergency, which is essential when addressing a public health crisis. For instance, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic due to its rapid spread worldwide. Similarly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an epidemic as a sudden outbreak or unexpected spike in illness within a single country or area.

The director of the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention, Patrick Carter, agrees that the problem of firearm injuries and violence is indeed an epidemic in the United States. With more than 21,000 people already dying from gun-related injuries this year alone, it's clear that immediate attention is necessary to curb this trend.

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has also repeatedly referred to the deaths and injuries caused by firearms as an 'epidemic.' This perspective echoes President Biden's sentiments on National Gun Violence Awareness Day. 'Whenever you have a large number of people dying from preventable reasons, that constitutes a public health crisis,' he emphasized.

By acknowledging gun violence as a public health epidemic, experts can work together to develop effective strategies for prevention and reduction. It's time for the United States to take immediate action to address this pressing issue and save lives.

Public radio international gun violence