COVID-19 and Firearm Injury: A Uniquely American Problem

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the healthcare sector in many ways. One of the unfortunate outcomes that appears to be associated with the pandemic, or perhaps with our response to the pandemic, is a substantial rise in firearm-related injury. This end point is unique to the US compared with Western European countries. Although many countries and cities quickly reported a considerable and sustained decrease in trauma volume,1-3 only the US reported a net decrease in blunt mechanism of injury trauma volume and a concomitant, substantial increase in firearm-related injuries in many large cities.

Source: Journal of the American College of Surgeons - January 13, 2021 Category: Surgery Authors: Babak Sarani Tags: Invited Commentary Source Type: research