Dr. Roach writes • As I write this, another gun tragedy has taken place in the United States. By the time it gets published, about 1,500 more people are likely to have been killed by guns, many accidentally. Physicians have a responsibility to protect the health of their patients and the public, and I can’t be silent on this any longer.
Gun violence is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. With over 10,000 deaths yearly, including accidental deaths and suicide, gun violence is a more important cause of death than many of the conditions I discuss in this column. Unfortunately, the U.S. Congress has repeatedly failed to fund research on gun violence by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best-placed U.S. agency to follow what can reasonably be described as an epidemic. This has prevented research on the best ways to reduce gun deaths.
Governments have attempted to keep physicians silent on gun violence. Florida passed a law preventing physicians from discussing gun safety with their patients (this was struck down in 2017 by a federal appeals court). The goals of discussing gun safety with patients are to educate and to consider a means of reducing risk of injury (such as trigger locks, gun safes and storing weapons and ammunition separately). This is particularly important in a patient with a history of violence, mental health problems, or drug and alcohol abuse.
As a physician, it’s not my place to discuss changes in the law or in public policy; however, it is a physician’s place to make recommendations to responsible gun owners for reducing risk. As gun violence continues to escalate, it’s particularly important for physicians to be part of the solution to reduce gun injury. It’s still up to politicians to write laws to protect the public; until that happens, a physician’s brief discussion on gun safety certainly won’t stop all gun violence, but it can reduce gun injuries, especially accidental ones, and especially in households with children.
Readers • The booklet on stroke explains this condition that is deservedly feared by all. Readers can obtain a copy by writing:
Dr. Roach
Book No. 902
628 Virginia Dr.
Orlando, FL 32803
Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or request an order form of available health newsletters at 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, Fla. 32803. Health newsletters may be ordered from rbmamall.com.
