Non-fatal gun violence and community health behaviors: A neighborhood analysis in Philadelphia

Changing epidemiology of firearm injury: a cohort study of non-fatal firearm victimisation before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Indianapolis, Indiana

“…Finally, our findings indicate higher rates of non-fatal firearm injuries continue to occur in structurally disadvantaged communities, further contributing to health disparities in communities that have experienced structural disadvantage and racial inequalities for decades 26 29. A growing body of research demonstrates levels of community firearm violence not only impacts the victim but contributes to higher levels of resident disability, adverse health outcomes and mental health needs among adults and children who are indirectly impacted by the continued trauma of firearm violence 15–17. Disadvantaged communities often lack available healthcare or posthospital care is difficult for victims to obtain,30 leaving victims and communities to cope with the trauma of their injuries alone, consequently compounding inequalities.…”

“…Beyond non-fatal injury survivors, a growing body of research suggests exposure (both direct and indirect) to fatal and non-fatal firearm injuries increases adverse health outcomes, such as worse mental health outcomes for residents 14 15. Community rates of non-fatal firearm injuries are associated with higher levels of obesity, smoking, lack of sleep, physical inactivity and higher levels of disability at the community level, compared with fatal firearm injuries 16 17. These findings speak to the unique dynamics of non-fatal firearm injuries and how community non-fatal firearm injuries rates contribute to health disparities and health inequities within our society.…”

Mental health outcomes from direct and indirect exposure to firearm violence: A cohort study of nonfatal shooting survivors and family members

“…In the context of broader health outcomes, higher rates of community nonfatal shootings are associated with higher levels of obesity, smoking, lack of sleep, physical inactivity, and higher levels of disability at the community level, compared to fatal firearm injuries when controlling for potential confounders, speaking to the unique dynamics of nonfatal shootings (Semenza & Stansfield, 2021a, 2021b. At a community level, higher rates of nonfatal shootings are positively associated with poor mental health outcomes.…”

“…Beyond the victim, firearm violence also impacts family members and communities of firearm violence survivors. Chronic exposure to the direct and indirect trauma of firearm violence increases the risk of adverse health outcomes and unhealed trauma often leads to involvement in future violence (Kar, 2019;Semenza & Stansfield, 2021a, 2021bTurner et al, 2019). Despite the known health inequities that exist among nonfatal shooting survivors, little research has focused on the mental health needs of family members of nonfatal shootings survivors.…”

Addressing Mental Health Needs of Secondary Homicide Survivors through a Social Determinants of Health Framework

“…Exposure to community firearm violence is a modifiable social condition and fundamental cause of population health disparities that disproportionately harms disadvantaged communities of color in the U.S. (Fowler et al, 2009; Kravitz-Wirtz et al, 2022; Smith et al, 2020; Wright et al, 2017). Chronic exposure to the direct and indirect trauma of firearm violence increases health inequities, and unhealed trauma often leads to future involvement in violence as both a victim and offender (Magee et al, 2022; Semenza & Stansfield, 2021a, 2021b; Whitehill et al, 2014). Firearm homicide is now the leading cause of death among children in the U.S. and secondary exposure to firearm homicide is particularly harmful to child development (Fowler et al, 2009; Lee et al, 2022; Sharkey et al, 2014).…”