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Gun suicides often spike after homicides rise, multi-decade study reveals
Researchers uncovered a close link between gun suicide and homicides in a new multi-decade study from the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center. The study, published in July in Social Science & Medicine, challenges the assumption that suicide and homicide are separate issues. Researchers found that increases in homicide rates preceded spikes in suicide rates,…
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Underreported twin health crises: Gun violence and maternal mortality
Many health risks to pregnant people are well-known, whether it’s preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or hemorrhage during delivery. Another culprit at the center of the maternal mortality epidemic is firearms. Murders are a leading cause of maternal mortality in the U.S. — and maternal homicides are most often perpetrated with guns, commonly at the hands of an…
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U.S. gun violence worse than other wealthy nations, costs the country billions
It’s a well-known and sobering fact that Americans die from gun violence at a higher rate than their counterparts in high-income nations. And compared to the entire world, the U.S. ranks at the 93rd percentile for overall firearm mortality, 92nd percentile for children and teens and 96th percentile for women, according to an analysis from…
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Interactive maps offer ‘more complete picture’ of firearm violence
In California, nearly one out of every two deaths by firearm is a suicide. And for the U.S. as a whole, firearms are the leading cause of death for kids and teens, disproportionately impacting people of color. Access to daily, timely and accurate data is crucial to helping combat the gun violence epidemic and amplifying…
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Boost your reporter toolkit with these best practices for covering suicide
Journalists have a responsibility to cover suicide with care and nuance. Sensationalized and poor coverage raises the risk of a contagion effect — other people being inspired to take their lives. Studies have found that copycat suicides rise following coverage of a single incident, especially involving a celebrity. When done carefully and thoughtfully, good journalism…
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How to amplify coverage of veteran suicide and National Guard health care
Building prevention into your reporting on veterans suicide and mental health Moderator: Lara Salahi, AHCJ Health Beat leader for health equity Thomas Campbell, retired U.S. Army command sergeant major, current senior training specialist, Army Center for Initial Military Training Philip Held, Ph.D., research director, The Road Home Program: National Center of Excellence for Veterans and…
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How to report responsibly on firearm suicide
Sounding the alarm: Physicians’ role in talking to patients about firearm access and suicide risk Moderator: Cara Anthony, Midwest correspondent, KFF Health News Jill Harkavy-Friedman, Ph.D., senior vice president of research, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Lois Lee, M.D., MPH, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School View slides Listen to session More coverage Gun…
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