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| Quick reference medical handouts used
by Pediatric offices |
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American Academy of Pediatrics Updates Firearm-related Injury Policy
AAP ADDRESSES FIREARM-RELATED INJURIES INVOLViNG
CHILDREN
An updated policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) strongly stresses that the most effective measure to prevent
firearm-related injuries to children and adolescents is to remove guns from
homes and communities. Therefore, the AAP reaffirms its long-standing
recommendation that handguns and semi-automatic weapons be banned. Until
such a ban can be enacted, the AAP recognizes the importance of a variety
of other counter measures to begin to curb the number of firearm-related
injuries to children.
The updated AAP policy, released April 3, 2000, states, "Because firearm-related injury to
children is associated with death and severe morbidity and is a significant
public health problem, child health care professionals can and should provide
effective leadership in efforts to stem this epidemic."
The AAP statement examines the data surrounding firearm-related deaths and
injuries in the last 10 years. The statement concludes that while there has
been a slight decrease in numbers in the last few years, the number of victims
of firearm-related injuries constitutes a public health problem that must
be addressed. According to the statement:
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In 1997 there were 32,436 firearm-related deaths, of which 4,223 of
the victims were children and adolescents younger than 20 years of age.
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Handguns continue to account for the majority of deaths and injuries
from firearms in the United States.
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In 1997, 85 percent of all homicides and 63 percent of all suicides
for adolescents 15 through 19 years of age were committed with a
firearm.
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The United States has the highest rates of firearm-related deaths
(including homicide, suicide and unintentional deaths) among industrialized
countries. The overall rate of firearm-related deaths for U.S. children younger
than 15 years of age is nearly 12 times greater than that found for 25 other
industrialized countries, and the rate of firearm-related homicide is nearly
16 times higher than that in all the other countries combined.
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In 1994, the mean medical cost per gunshot injury was approximately
$17,000, with the 134,445 gunshot injuries in the United States in 1994 producing
$2.3 billion in lifetime medical costs, of which $1.1 billion (49 percent)
was paid by U.S. taxpayers.
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1997, 306 children and adolescents younger than 20 years killed by
firearms died as a result of unintentional firearm-related injuries.
The statement goes on to say, "The AAP recognizes the importance of
a variety of counter measures (educational, environmental, engineering,
enactment, enforcement economic incentives and evaluation) to begin to curb
dramatically the number of firearm-related injuries to children." Recommendations
from the AAP include:
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The most effective measure to prevent firearm-related injuries to
children and adolescents is the absence of guns from homes and communities.
Firearm regulation, to include bans of handguns and assault weapons, is the
most effective way to reduce firearm-related injuries. Pediatricians and
other health care professionals are urged to inform parents about the dangers
of guns in and outside the home. The AAP recommends that pediatricians
incorporate questions about guns into their patient history taking and urge
parents who possess guns, especially handguns, to remove them from the
home.
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The AAP urges that guns be subject to safety and design regulations
like other consumer products, as well as tracing. The AAP supports efforts
to reduce the destructive power of handguns and handgun ammunition via regulation
of the manufacture and importation of classes of guns.
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In an effort to reduce the romanticization of guns in the popular
media, the AAP urges the development of quality violence-free programming
and constructive dialogue among child health and education advocates, the
Federal Communications Commission, and the television and motion picture
industries, as well as toy, video game, and other software manufactures and
designers.
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The AAP advocates that a coordinated, comprehensive national surveillance
data system be maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
as well as the National Center for Health Statistics.
As a reminder, this information should not be relied on as
medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your child’s pediatrician.
Please read our full disclaimer.
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