Current:Home > MarketsChild gun deaths and fatal drug poisonings skyrocketed over past decade, researchers find -Profound Wealth Insights
Child gun deaths and fatal drug poisonings skyrocketed over past decade, researchers find
View
Date:2025-04-14 11:43:52
Fatal injury rates have spiked over the past decade for children and teens in the U.S., especially deaths involving guns and drugs, according to new research published in the journal Pediatrics Thursday.
Using injury data for children under age 18 from 2011 to 2021 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers found firearm fatalities increased by 87.1% during that time period. Drug poisoning fatalities increased by 133.3%, and suffocation-related fatalities increased by 12.5%.
"Recent trends in pediatric injury-related fatalities are alarming, with increases in homicides, suicides, and poisonings in the past decade," the authors write.
Nonfatal firearm and poison-related injuries also increased — up 113.1% and 9.9%, respectively.
At the same time, the rates of nonfatal injuries within the same age group decreased in several other categories from 2011 to 2020, including a 52.8% decline in injuries from falls and a 47.3% decrease in motor vehicle occupant injuries. Injuries from drownings stayed the about same.
"The divergent trends between fatal and nonfatal injuries highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to childhood injury prevention," the study notes.
The authors credit the decrease in nonfatal car injuries, for example, to public health interventions targeting pediatric safety, technological advancements and legislative requirements.
But the opposite is the case for firearms and drug poisonings.
"Despite the progress in reducing most nonfatal injuries, the trends in increasing nonfatal firearm and poisoning injuries defy the overall trend in nonfatal injuries, in part because public health legislative support has lagged in these critical injury mechanisms," they write. "This is especially concerning given the high case fatality rate of these injury mechanisms in children."
- Accidental shootings by children keep happening. How toddlers are able to fire guns.
In addition to more research, the authors urged the need for stronger legislation, enhanced public awareness, and improved health care systems to address both fatal and nonfatal injuries among children.
- In:
- Gun
- Drug Overdose
- Gun Violence
- Gun Safety
- Drug Use
- Teenagers
- Children
veryGood! (35)
Related
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Paris Olympics highlights: USA adds medals in swimming, gymnastics, fencing
- Selena Gomez hits back at criticism of facial changes: 'I have Botox. That's it.'
- Terrell Davis says United banned him after flight incident. Airline says it was already rescinded
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Red Sox beef up bullpen by adding RHP Lucas Sims from the Reds as trade deadline approaches
- Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's Daughter Sunday Rose, 16, Looks All Grown Up in Rare Red Carpet Photo
- Disneyland workers vote to ratify new contracts that raise wages
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Sorry Ladies, 2024 Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik Is Taken. Meet His Gymnast Girlfriend Tess McCracken
Ranking
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Landslides caused by heavy rains kill 49 and bury many others in southern India
- William Calley, who led the My Lai massacre that shamed US military in Vietnam, has died
- 83-year-old Alabama former legislator sentenced to 13 months in federal prison for kickback scheme
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Steals from Lululemon’s We Made Too Much: $29 Shirts, $59 Sweaters, $69 Leggings & More Unmissable Scores
- Inflation rankings flip: Northeast has largest price jumps, South and West cool off
- A Pretty Woman Reunion, Ben Affleck's Cold Feet and a Big Payday: Secrets About Runaway Bride Revealed
Recommendation
US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
New Details on Sinéad O'Connor's Official Cause of Death Revealed
MLB trade deadline 2024: Four biggest holes contenders need to fill
Erica Ash, 'Mad TV' and 'Survivor's Remorse' star, dies at 46: Reports
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
Shannon Sharpe, Chad Johnson: We'll pay US track stars $25K for winning Olympics gold
What to watch for the Paris Olympics: Simone Biles leads US in gymnastics final Tuesday, July 30
How did Simone Biles do Tuesday? U.S. wins gold medal in team all-around final