Gun Injuries, Deaths: Leading Medical Groups Work To Solve The Problem

Leading medical groups are calling for urgent action to reduce injuries and deaths from guns in the United States.

"Along with our colleagues in law and public health, those of us who represent the nation's physicians realize that there are significant political and philosophical differences about firearm ownership and regulation in the United States," said Dr. Steven Weinberger, executive vice president and CEO of the American College of Physicians, in a news release.  "However, we strongly support a multifaceted public health approach and will not be dissuaded from advocating for the improved health of our patients and families."

Statistics show that there are close to 300 million privately owned guns in the country, making it more than any other country in the world. The American Bar Assn. and the American Public Health Assn. also estimate that gun-related injuries are responsible for the deaths of 32,000 Americans annually.

Previous research has also suggested that access to these weapons can increase the risk of death by suicide, according to leading medical groups.

Many organizations are calling for a public health approach, with improved access to mental health care and laws that require doctors to report patients with mental or substance use disorders.

"Among hospitalized patients, prior criminality has a stronger association with subsequent violent crime perpetration than a prior diagnosis of mental illness," concluded the researchers.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the Annals of Internal Medicine.