New research has revealed that the number of gun-related deaths among children in the United States reached a record high in 2021.
The American Academy of Pediatrics published a study on Monday, which reported that there were a total of 4,752 gun deaths among children in 2021, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This figure surpassed the previous highest number of gun deaths, which was recorded in 2020.
The study concluded, “US pediatric firearm deaths increased in 2021, above the spike in 2020, with worsening disparities. Implementation of prevention strategies and policies among communities at highest risk is critical.”
Between 2018 and 2021, there was a 41.6 percent increase in the pediatric firearm death rate across the country. Additionally, from 2020 to 2021, there was an almost 9 percent increase in the death rate.
In 2021, approximately 64 percent of gun deaths were homicides, nearly 30 percent were suicides, and 3.5 percent were unintentional injuries. The study highlights that “firearms remained the leading cause of death among children and adolescents compared with other injury-related causes of death” in 2021.
Gun-related homicides among older adolescents aged 15-19 comprised over 82 percent of firearm deaths in 2021. Furthermore, gun-related homicides among young children ages 0-9 increased by 66 percent compared to 2018.
In 2021, males accounted for the majority of gun deaths and homicides caused by firearms, making up nearly 85 percent of pediatric firearm deaths and 84 percent of gun homicides among children.
The study states, “Despite the documented dominance of male deaths by firearm, the firearm mortality death rate is increasing in both males and females, demonstrating a concerning upward trend of firearm deaths overall.”
Racial disparities were also explored in the study, revealing that the death rate for firearm homicides was 11 times higher for Black children compared to white children.
The study reads, “Racial disparities in firearm mortalities have also worsened significantly, with Black children accounting for half of firearm deaths in 2021 and exhibiting the greatest increase in death rate from 2020 to 2021. This is consistent with previous data demonstrating Black Americans have represented the majority of those hospitalized with firearm injury.”
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