Tell Congress to pass commonsense measures to reduce gun violence.
From The Nation's Health: Gun violence research hurt by shortage of funding, data
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School alumnae: Let's prioritize mental health
Share our fact sheet about gun violence and prevention (PDF).
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Gun violence is a leading cause of premature death in the U.S. Guns kill more than 38,000 people and cause nearly 85,000 injuries each year. As a longtime advocate for violence prevention policies, APHA recognizes a comprehensive public health approach to addressing this growing crisis is necessary.
The issue of gun violence is complex and deeply rooted in our culture, which is why we must take a public health approach to ensuring our families and communities are safe. We must place a renewed emphasis on improving gun injury and violence research. Ongoing work is needed to ensure firearms do not fall into the wrong hands and to expand access to mental health services to those who need it most.
If you are interested in a sample op-ed, letter to the editor or technical support to help reach your local media, please contact APHA Media Relations.
In advance of the "March for Our Lives" rally in Washington, D.C., animator Alex Clark used a bit of humor to explain gun violence prevention:
And APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, MD, talks about why Congress needs to enable the CDC to research gun violence as a public health issue:
MORE ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Health organization letters to the Senate and House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee leaders urging Congress to provide federal funding to the CDC to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention (PDF)
Letters from 75 public health, medical and research organization to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives urging action on comprehensive legislative solutions to firearm-related injuries and fatalities (PDF)
APHA mourns Las Vegas gun violence tragedy
Fact sheet: Who Gets Killed in America? The National Violent Death Reporting System is Keeping Track (PDF)
Troisi, Williams: Public health approach can stem gun violence (PDF, Houston Chronicle)
Public health taking stronger approach to gun violence: APHA, Brady team up on prevention
"Gun Violence is an epidemic. It is time for a public health response" (editorial in The Guardian by APHA's Georges Benjamin)
Chicago Tribune previews gun violence prevention as key issue at APHA Annual Meeting in Chicago
More police die in states with higher gun ownership, AJPH study finds
Public health joining with new partners to fight gun violence
Diagnosis: gun deaths and injuries are a public health issue (editorial by APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, MD, and Brady Campaign and Center to Prevent Gun Violence President Dan Gross)
The rate of gun-related murders fell sharply in the 10 years after Connecticut implemented a law requiring people buying firearms to have a license, according to a study (CNN article based on American Journal of Public Health study findings)
Community preparedness resources for active shooter incidents (NACCHO)