18 hospitals in the Southeastern Pennsylvania region conducted their first-ever community health needs assessment. This assessment determined that gun violence is one of the main issues that hospitals in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Bucks counties need to focus on as they work to improve the quality of life of Pennsylvanians.
Key Findings:
- Community violence is largely driven by community disadvantage and disproportionately impacts Philadelphia County
- Gun violence primarily involves young Black males, many disconnected from school and employment
- Women, immigrant youth, and LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk of interpersonal violence of all forms including domestic and intimate partner violence
- Negative interactions and bullying prevalent among youth can be a source of community violence and often occurs on social media
Potential Solutions
- Support and hire returning citizens
- Create school and community-based mentor programs
- Expand gun safety efforts like lockbox distribution and provide educational materials
- Provide bullying intervention programs in school and in afterschool programs
CeaseFirePA commends the commitment of doctors and hospitals across the Commonwealth to ending the public health epidemic of gun violence.
