Child survivors of gun violence experience substance use disorders and pain disorders at more than double the rates of those that do not experience gun violence, according to a new study.
According to a recent study published in Health Affairs, youth under the age of nineteen who survived a firearm injury had a 144 percent increase in substance use disorders, a 117 percent increase in pain disorders and a 68 percent increase in psychiatric disorders compared to youth that did not experience gun violence. The study examined nearly 15 years of commercial health insurance claims data from over 2,000 child and adolescent survivors of firearm injuries, and compared that to nearly 10,000 matched controls that did not incur firearm injuries.
A 144 percent increase in substance use disorders means that survivors of gun violence become addicted to various drugs at more than double the rate of those that do not experience gun violence. Common substance use disorders in the United States involve alcohol, nicotine, opioids and marijuana, according to Mental Health America. Substance use disorders lead to adverse health outcomes, with increased risks of various diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancers, infections and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
Individuals that have substance use disorders are also much more likely to be involved in injuries; such as car accidents, those associated with intimate partner violence and even suicide. As an example, the odds of injury for those who consume alcohol are five times greater than those not exposed to alcohol in the general population, according to research in Cureus.
According to the aforementioned study in Health Affairs, young survivors of gun violence also experience pain disorders at more than double the rate of those that do not experience gun violence. Common pain disorders include low back pain, neck pain, headaches and pain associated with arthritis. These are all physical ailments that can be highly associated with disability and can have a profound effect on one’s work. According to the CDC, chronic pain contributes to nearly $560 billion each year in direct medical costs, lost productivity and disability programs.
It is of no surprise that health care costs for survivors of gun violence were 17 times higher than before being injured, with spending increased by an average of nearly $35,000 per person according to the study in Health Affairs. This adds a financial burden to health insurers and employers that pay nearly 95% of this cost for the survivors of gun violence.
Psychiatric disorders are also much more common in youth surviving gun violence compared to those that do not experience gun violence. This means mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder become more common in children and adolescents that survive gun violence. These psychiatric illnesses often go hand-in-hand with other health and behavioral risks including drug use, violence and suicide.
Although the detrimental effects on health remain clear for youth that survive gun violence, much more research still needs to be done. Data on how gun violence affects school performance, ability to perform adequately at work and its impact on social relationships would help inform future therapies and interventions for survivors of gun violence. Gun violence not only impacts survivors, but also the family and friends of survivors. Much more research is needed to evaluate health outcomes of that population as well.
There are many more survivors of gun violence than casualties. Last year alone, there were on average nearly two mass shootings per day in the United States, according to reports from BBC.
Gun violence can create permanent scars in our youth with respect to physical and mental health. Bolstering education and awareness on this issue, providing community support systems as well as advocating for safer gun control policies must be priorities as we move forward in addressing this critical issue in public health.
