Emergency department surveillance for weapon-related injuries - Massachusetts, November 1993-April 1994

Article Abstract:

Massachusetts' emergency department Weapon-Related Injury Surveillance System (WRISS) reported 1,345 injuries from weapons from November, 1993 to April, 1994 and recorded the demographics. The data found a rate of 15 gunshot wounds per 100,000 state residents and 30 sharp instrument wounds per 100,000 residents. Eighty-five percent of injured people were male and the mean age was 27. More than 70% of the injuries related to gunshot wounds were in large communities, and 68% of these were linked to violence. In small communities, only 30% were connected to violent acts and 40% were accidental. Seven gunshot wounds per 100,000 were recorded for small communities compared to 27 per 100,000 in large ones. BB guns and similar guns were responsible for 42% of weapon injuries to children under 15 years of age. The findings may aid violence prevention programs and help train medical staffs.

Health aspects, Injuries, Statistics, Young adults, Demographic aspects, Massachusetts, Weapons, Violence

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Physicians and domestic violence: can we make a difference

Article Abstract:

The prevention of family violence is one of the American Medical Association (AMA)'s top priorities. Family violence involves physical and sexual abuse of children, spouses and elders. Seventy-five percent of Americans consider violence a grave problem and think that physicians could help in controlling the incidence of violence. Eighty-five percent of Americans said they could confide in a physician if they were victims or perpetrators of violence. The AMA founded The Physicians' Campaign Against Family Violence to give physicians information and treatment options for abuse victims. In 1994, the AMA and the American Bar Association presented a conference that discussed justice and health, and offered recommendations. AMA members have testified in Washington DC about causes of violent behavior.

Editorial, Prevention, Physician and patient, Physician-patient relations, Social policy, American Medical Association, Public opinion, Family violence, Domestic violence

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