Reduction of firearm-related violence through firearm safety counseling. The role of family physicians
J. H. Price, S. A. Everett, A. W. Bedell and S. K. Telljohann
Department of Health Promotion, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA.
The United States has a greater percentage of households with guns and more
acts of violence than any other country in the western world. Suicide is
the nation's eighth leading cause of deaths in the United States, of which
60% are caused by firearms. Homicide is the 11th leading cause of deaths
among Americans, of which 70% are caused by firearms. Another 1400 deaths
each year are caused by unintentional firearm-related injuries. Most of
these deaths can, in part, be attributed to inappropriate behaviors (eg,
keeping a loaded and inadequately secured firearm in the home). As
respected professionals in the community, family physicians have a unique
opportunity to promote behaviors in patients that reduce the risk of
firearm-related injuries in patients and their families.
