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Asessing the Relationship Between Gun Violence and Health Equity
By Diana Lee , MD Director of Odessa Chambliss Center for Health Equity Bethune-Cookman University
By February 2018 , the United States had 35 mass shootings , 8641 incidents of gun violence , and 2327 deaths . 90 children and 444 teenagers died , and by the time this article is published the statistics will be different , much larger .
Gun violence has become a crucial national problem that negatively affects health equity in the United States . The American Medical Association ( AMA ) declared U . S . gun violence a public health crisis requiring a comprehensive public health response and solution . While we debate whether we need better gun control laws , or a more efficient way to implement current laws , Americans at large are affected by shootings whether it is at a mass shooting or an individual being shot . No other country has the gun violence statistics that the United States has acquired in these last years .
WHAT IS HEALTH EQUITY ?
Health equity is the right that every individual has to a fair opportunity to live a long , and healthy life . The implication is that health should not be compromised or disadvantaged because of an individual ' s or population group ' s race , ethnicity , gender , income , sexual orientation , neighborhood or other social condition . Health equity depends on creating fair opportunities for health and eliminating gaps in health outcomes between different social groups . It also requires that public health professionals look for solutions outside of the health care system , such as in the transportation or housing sectors , to improve the opportunities for health in communities .
Gun Violence and Health Equity Dr . Diana Lee , MD Odessa Chambliss Center for Health Equity Bethune-Cookman University Daytona Beach , Florida Women ' s History Magazine 2019
The ultimate goal is to reduce and eliminate disparities in health and achieving the highest possible standard of health for all people while providing special attention to the needs of those at greatest risk of poor health , based on social conditions .
The three main components of health equity , as identified by the World Health Organization , are : social determinants of health , health disparities and social justice . Gun violence is a problem that actually affects each component of health equity and creates negative health outcomes nationwide .
Social Determinants of Health are the conditions in which people are born , grow , live , work and age . These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money , power and resources at global , national and local levels . The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries , states , cities or any communities .
A disproportionate number of gun homicides occur in urban areas . Conversely , a disproportionate number of firearm suicides occur in rural - compared with urban- areas . Although they are highly publicized , less than two percent of the homicides of children occur in schools .