New Study Shows Child Gunshot Survivors and Families Experience Soaring Healthcare Costs, Mental Health Disorders

Pandemic-era research reveals stark 74% increase in pediatric gunshot-related ER visits, particularly among Black and Hispanic youth; families bear heavy psychological and financial burdens, with health care spending for survivors surging an average of $34,884 annually.

A study by Dr. Jennifer Hoffman showed a 74% increase in emergency room visits from children injured by firearms during the pandemic, with the number of incidents rising from 694 to 1,210 particularly among Black and Hispanic youth.
The mortality rate for victims of gun-related injuries aged 18 and under also nearly doubled from 3.1% to 6.1% during the span of the study.
Despite the hopes for a decline in firearm injuries as the pandemic's daily impact dwindled, researchers noted a persisting rise in these incidents.
The study also uncovered the 'shared family trauma' that occurs when a child sustains a gun-related injury or is killed by one, contributing to a surge of up to 30% in mental health disorders among parents.
The report highlighted that the healthcare costs for young gun injury survivors increased by an average of $34,884 annually, emphasizing the economic burden of gun violence.