Bringing a public health focus to gun policies

More than 41,000 people in the United States die from gun violence every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Suicides account for more than half of those deaths (54%), while homicides make up 43%. 

The American Public Health Association (APHA) has declared gun violence a preventable epidemic that requires a comprehensive public health approach. A few APHA recommendations include increased funding for national gun violence surveillance, more research and data, and stronger gun policies. 

Our team also recently updated gun policy strategies in our What Works for Health database featuring the latest research, evidence and implementation examples. They include:

• Firearm licensing laws
• Universal firearm background checks
• Child firearm access prevention laws
• Firearm restrictions for people convicted of domestic violence

Click on a strategy to learn more or search more than 400 strategies by topic in the What Works for Health database