Firearm Violence Examined in JAMA Internal Medicine

By the Editors

Two studies in JAMA Internal Medicine and a research letter in JAMA look at firearm violence in the U.S.

One study found that nearly all adolescent homicides in Philadelphia from 2010 through 2012 involved a firearm. Substance use by individuals and families was a significant risk factor for adolescent firearm homicide. Adolescents who lived in neighborhoods with high densities of alcohol outlets were also at higher risk.

A second study, an analysis of a social network of people who were arrested over 8 years in Chicago, found that "gunshot violence follows an epidemic-like process of social contagion that is transmitted through networks of people by social interactions."

Lastly, a research letter noted that gun violence research in the U.S. has been underfunded compared with research into other major causes of death.

An editorialist writes, "Although public attention has understandably focused on cities, such as Chicago, where the number of homicides has substantially increased in recent years, other cities, such as Los Angeles and New York, have seen their rates decline over time. ... With continued public health and law enforcement efforts, there are abundant opportunities to prevent thousands of firearm-related deaths each year in urban areas."