SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Covid-19 Pandemic and Rising Firearm Injuries Trends in the Us

Pdf Summary

This retrospective national study examined firearm-related emergency department (ED) visits in the United States from 2016 to 2020 using Nationwide Inpatient Sample data, covering more than 699 million ED visits and 533,206 firearm injury cases. The authors found that firearm injury-related ED visits increased notably from 2018 through 2020, with the rise especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic.<br /><br />Key demographic shifts were observed. While males still accounted for the majority of visits, the proportion of female patients increased significantly during the pandemic. In addition, patients aged 30–39 and 40–49 showed significant increases, suggesting a growing burden among middle-aged adults. Race and income distributions did not show meaningful changes.<br /><br />Accidental firearm injuries remained the most common injury type and also showed an upward trend, becoming more prominent during the pandemic period. Assault-related injuries were less frequent than accidental injuries, and other categories such as intentional, unknown, legal, and domestic violence-related injuries remained comparatively uncommon.<br /><br />The average ED mortality rate was about 5.2%, and there was no significant difference in mortality before versus during the pandemic.<br /><br />Overall, the study highlights a rising national trend in firearm-related ED visits during COVID-19, particularly among females and adults aged 30–49, with accidental injuries driving much of the increase. The authors emphasize the need for comprehensive firearm injury prevention strategies involving both local and national stakeholders. Limitations include the retrospective design and dependence on accurate coding in the database, which prevents causal conclusions.

Asset Subtitle

Ivan Wudexi

Meta Tag

Author List Abu B. Sheikh, Ishan Garg, Ivan Wudexi

Category Research

Concept Firearm Injury

Concept Emergency Department Visits

Concept Accidental Injury

Concept COVID-19 Pandemic

Concept Female Sex

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of New Mexico

Presenting Author Ivan Wudexi

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

firearm injury

emergency department visits

COVID-19 pandemic

United States

retrospective study

accidental injuries

female patients

middle-aged adults

mortality rate

injury prevention

Firearm Injury

Emergency Department Visits

Accidental Injury

COVID-19 Pandemic

Female Sex