Racial Disparities and the Evolution of Firearm-Related Injuries in the United States
Friday, September 16, 2022
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: JW Grand Ballroom 5-6
CE: .5
Reference 1: Cavalea, A.C., Tedesco, A., Leonard, J., Hunt, J.P., Schoen, J., Smith, A.A., Greiffenstein, P., Marr, A.B. and Stuke, L.E., 2022. Mass shootings in the United States: Results from a five-year demographic analysis. Injury, 53(3), pp.925-931. Reference 2: Maher, E.J., Gerlinger, J., Wood, A.D. and Ho, K., 2022. Won’t You be My Neighbor? Neighborhood Characteristics Associated with Mass Shootings in the USA. Race and Social Problems, 14(3), pp.223-237. Reference 3: Huff-Corzine, L., McCutcheon, J.C., Corzine, J., Jarvis, J.P., Tetzlaff-Bemiller, M.J., Weller, M. and Landon, M., 2014. Shooting for accuracy: Comparing data sources on mass murder. Homicide Studies, 18(1), pp.105-124.
Margo Carlin, DO: No financial relationships to disclose
Lecture Summary: The incidence of penetrating injuries and mass casualty incidents has been steadily increasing in the United States. According to the CDC, firearm-related injuries are now the most common cause of death after trauma, surpassing MVCs. Unfortunately, there is a significant paucity of literature evaluating the demographic at risk. Many of the studies available direct the clinician on how to prepare for mass casualty events, however, identifying at-risk communities may help implement prevention programs, guide discussions in general public safety, and direct government assistance to vulnerable communities.
Because the generally accepted definition of mass casualty events is greater than 4 persons injured and many events remain unreported in the media, this review will evaluate the demographics of the communities affected by some of the largest mass shooting events in the history of the United States. Furthermore, we will look at the firearms utilized in each event. It is the hope that statistical assessment of this data will help guide resources to communities in need, as well as help the surgeon maintain a high index of suspicion for the characteristics of the injury complex by caliber and velocity of the weapon utilized.
Educational Gap: There is a significant gap in the literature addressing racial disparities in mass casualty incidents in the United States. This presentation hopes to close this gap in knowledge so that appropriate resources can be directed to vulnerable communities.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to list characteristics of vulnerable communities.
Upon completion, participants will be able to identify the characteristics of possible penetrating injuries due to caliber of the weapon used.
Upon completion, participants will be able to define tools necessary for development of effective trauma prevention programs.
