Everyone has opinions on the subject, and few are indifferent.
The opinions are strongly held, not preferences. And everyone has recited the top 5 arguments for or against societal action, according to one’s opinion.
But how can anyone seriously write about health care in the United States without considering the impact of firearms?
I know that I am not interested in becoming one more activist in the debate—there are plenty of those on both sides. I also know that no opinion on any subject is without dissenters, including whether the sun will rise tomorrow morning.
Knowing that, I plan to point out some facts that might be generally agreed upon, no matter where one’s opinions lie.
First, firearm deaths are a public health concern. In 2010 there were 2,468,435 deaths in the United States from all causes, of which 31,328 were related to firearms. Deaths from firearms were 1.27 percent of all deaths, or one of every 78.8 deaths.
For purposes of comparison, there were 35,332 deaths from motor vehicle accidents that year, or 1.43 percent of all deaths, and one out of every 69.9 deaths. Source: National Vital Statistics Report, October 12, 2012, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Second, while the rate of death from firearms has been steady for the past ten or more years at about 10.2 per 100,000 of population, it is not equally distributed among age groups.
The risk of homicide by firearm is greatest between ages 18 and 44, while the risk of suicide rises with age through life.
More to follow, reluctantly.
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