NCJ Number
159318
Journal
American Journal of Public Health Volume: 83 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1993) Pages: 282-283
Date Published
1993
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Because New Mexico suffers from the Nation's worst injury mortality rates for many specific causes and it is second only to Alaska in overall injury mortality rates, a statewide childhood gunshot injury prevention program was designed and implemented in 1990.
Abstract
The program has several components: increasing gun safety awareness in local communities; increasing awareness of health care professionals and patients; reaching gun owners; monitoring program progress; and continuing the program. Televised public service announcements have been produced to increase awareness of gun safety in homes. Letters have been sent to health care professionals to promote their role in gun safety counseling. Gun safety posters have also been created to further educate health care professionals. Gun associations are encouraged to participate in the gun safety campaign. All unexplained or unattended deaths in New Mexico are investigated, including unintentional deaths related to firearms. Plans call for continuing the gunshot injury prevention program because firearm safety issues are traditionally neglected in childhood injury prevention programs.