Gun deaths among children and teens have soared – but there are ways to reverse the trend

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Rebeccah Sokol, University of Michigan; Marc A. Zimmerman, University of Michigan, and Patrick Carter, University of Michigan

(THE CONVERSATION) Firearm injuries are now the leading cause of death among U.S. children and teens following a huge decadelong rise.

Analyses published on Oct. 5, 2023, by a research team in Boston found an 87% increase in firearm-involved fatalities among Americans under the age of 18 from 2011 to 2021.

Such an increase is obviously very concerning. But as scholarsof adolescent healthand firearm violence, we know there are many evidence-based steps that elected officials, health care professionals, community leaders, school administrators and parents can implement to help reverse this trend.

Trends in firearm deaths

The latest study is based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This data also provides information on...