Hospitals in regions with tougher gun laws on average experience lower rates of emergency department visits for pediatric firearm-related injuries, according to a study slated to be presented at the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics national conference in Chicago from Sept. 16 to Sept. 19.
For the study, researchers examined data on ED visits for patients younger than 21 years compiled in the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample from 2009 through 2013. The team identified 111,839 ED visits for pediatric firearm-related injuries that occurred over the five-year span. Researchers analyzed these events at the regional level and compared them to Brady gun law scores, which assess the strength of gun laws by state.
Researchers found children living in the West, the South and the Midwest were more likely to visit the ED for firearm-related injuries than children living in Northeast where gun laws are more stringent.
"Firearm-related injuries are a leading cause of injury and death among children and represent a significant public health concern," said Monika Goyal, MD, director of research in the division of emergency medicine at Children's National Health System in Washington, D.C., and senior study author. "This study provides compelling data that an evidence-based approach to public policy may help to reduce firearm-related injuries among children."
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