A recent editorial published simultaneously in NEJM (DB Taichman et al. 2017; 377: 2090-91), Annals of Internal Medicine, PLOS Medicine and JAMA urges physicians:
- “Don’t be silent. We don’t need more moments of silence to honor the memory of those who have been killed. We need to honor their memory by preventing a need for such moments.”
A short list of how health care professionals can help:
- “Educate yourself”
- Contact your local, state, and federal legislators. “And do it again at regular intervals.”
- Attend public meetings. “Demand answers, commitments, and follow-up”
- “Go to rallies.”
- “Join, volunteer for, or donate to organizations fighting for sensible firearm legislations.”
- Vote for candidates “with stances that mitigate firearm-related injury.”
My take: I’m proud of my friends who have been trying to make a difference. If any other medical problem exacted the toll of firearms, it is hard to imagine such complacency/resignation.
Related blog posts:
- Firearm Mortality -Tragic Inertia
- Firearm Mortality in U.S.
- Is It OK for Pediatricians to try to Prevent Firearm Injuries? Focus on Child Safety –Not on Gun Safety
- Physician narrative on gun control | gutsandgrowth
- NY Times: End the Gun Epidemic in America | gutsandgrowth
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