J H Price1, L Oden. 1. College of Health and Human Services, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA. jprice@utnet.utoledo.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to gather data regarding local public health departments' involvement in activities to prevent firearm-related morbidity and mortality. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to local public health departments serving cities with populations > or =60,000 to assess their perceptions of the magnitude of the firearm injury problem in their jurisdictions and the activities in which they were engaged to reduce firearm-related injuries. RESULTS: Almost half (49.7%) of respondents said that their departments had not seriously thought about being involved in activities to reduce firearm-related injuries, and fewer than one in five (17.8%) reported that their departments were involved in such activities. Respondents identified three barriers to involvement in activities to reduce firearm injuries: limited financial resources (62.7% of respondents), lack of expertise (50.8%), and not enough time (47%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the extent of firearm injuries in the US, systematic collection of local data on firearm morbidity and mortality to help guide policy development is lacking.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to gather data regarding local public health departments' involvement in activities to prevent firearm-related morbidity and mortality. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to local public health departments serving cities with populations > or =60,000 to assess their perceptions of the magnitude of the firearm injury problem in their jurisdictions and the activities in which they were engaged to reduce firearm-related injuries. RESULTS: Almost half (49.7%) of respondents said that their departments had not seriously thought about being involved in activities to reduce firearm-related injuries, and fewer than one in five (17.8%) reported that their departments were involved in such activities. Respondents identified three barriers to involvement in activities to reduce firearm injuries: limited financial resources (62.7% of respondents), lack of expertise (50.8%), and not enough time (47%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the extent of firearm injuries in the US, systematic collection of local data on firearm morbidity and mortality to help guide policy development is lacking.
Authors: J O Prochaska; W F Velicer; J S Rossi; M G Goldstein; B H Marcus; W Rakowski; C Fiore; L L Harlow; C A Redding; D Rosenbloom Journal: Health Psychol Date: 1994-01 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: Nancy L Lewin; Jon S Vernick; Peter L Beilenson; Julie S Mair; Melisa M Lindamood; Stephen P Teret; Daniel W Webster Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2005-05 Impact factor: 9.308