Next year, the number of deaths may be even higher. In 2021, the number of gun related deaths among children in the United States reached a new high. Experts say that due to the lack of gun laws, teenagers | firearms | are missing
On August 21st, China Daily reported that over the weekend, there were more than ten gun violence incidents in Chicago, USA, with 16 teenagers shot and 3 teenagers killed. Gun related deaths among minors are almost ubiquitous in every corner of the United States, and the impact of gun violence on children and adolescents has reached a heinous level.
Screenshot of NBC News Report
According to a new data analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of gun related deaths among children in the United States reached a heart wrenching peak in 2021, claiming 4752 young lives. Experts believe that this shocking data clearly indicates that the gun violence epidemic in the United States has seriously worsened.
"This is undoubtedly one of the major public health crises facing our country. In this country, your child is most likely to die from firearms. This is unacceptable," said Chetan Satia, a pediatric trauma surgeon at the North Coast Long Island Jewish Medical System in New York State
The report states that this grim reality marks the second consecutive year that gun related injuries have consolidated their position as the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the United States, surpassing motor vehicle accidents, drug overdoses, and cancer. Dr. Satia also pointed out that there is no sign of a slowdown in this trend.
Analysis shows that from 2018 to 2021, the proportion of children dying from firearms in the United States increased by nearly 42%. Researchers had predicted that after a sharp increase in child gun related deaths in 2020, there would be a decrease in 2021, but this prediction did not become a reality. According to reports, the number of gun related child deaths in the United States in 2021 has increased by nearly 9% compared to 2020.
In addition, in 2021, 64.3% of child gun related deaths were homicides, 29.9% were suicides, and 3.5% were accidental injuries. Satia said, "This has shocked many of us," and the United States is likely to have reached a "worrying new baseline" where more children will die from gunshots.
The report states that the impact of children being involved in gun violence is particularly severe for people of color in the United States. Data shows that black child victims account for 67.3% of gun related homicide cases, and the mortality rate has increased nearly twice compared to 2020. Overall, black children in the United States account for half of all types of gun related deaths.
Nielmita Panchal, Senior Policy Analyst at the Caesar Family Foundation, pointed out that the number of deaths among people of color has significantly increased compared to the white population. At the same time, young shooting survivors may face difficulties beyond physical trauma, and are more prone to mental health and drug abuse issues.
Dr. Satia stated that structural inequality, structural racism, health, food insecurity, and other social factors are the root causes of various forms of violence, including gun violence.
Emily Leiberman, a pediatrician at Rully Children's Hospital in Illinois, believes that due to the lack of legislation against gun violence, the number of gun related deaths among children in the United States will only increase next year. "We see countless children dying from gun violence every day," she said. "It is affecting everyone, every place, and it will only get worse."
Dr. Satia pointed out, "Although we can say that this problem may not affect everyone, it does affect everyone," and "it will affect all communities, no matter where you live.".
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