18 Health System CEOs, Over 1,300 Caregivers Urge Congress To Support Biden Plan Against Gun Violence | Business

WASHINGTON – (BUSINESS WIRE) – July 21, 2021–

As the number of gunshot deaths and injuries soared nationwide, 18 of the nation’s most prominent health system CEOs and more than 1,300 medical professionals across America sent an urgent request to Congressional leaders, asking them to support President Biden’s plan to invest $ 5 billion in hospitals. and community-based armed violence intervention programs. In a rare call to action from health officials whose hospitals have been inundated with COVID-19 victims, medical professionals have warned that gun violence poses an equally urgent public health crisis that requires the same vigorous response. Together, CEOs manage healthcare systems that employ more than 700,000 healthcare professionals nationwide.

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Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell Health, accompanied by Dr. Chethan Sathya, pediatric surgeon and gun injury prevention researcher funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Credit: Northwell Health

“From trauma rooms to operating rooms, healthcare professionals see the scale and gravity of the gun violence crisis in clear terms,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health at New York. “We have a responsibility to respond and protect the health of our patients and our communities – but to do this most effectively, we need Congress to help us do our jobs. The fight against gun violence is not a Republican or Democratic problem – it is a public health problem. ”

The Advocacy of America’s CEOs and Health Guardians – which was sent to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Leader House Minority Kevin McCarthy – was the result of a grassroots effort led by Mr. Dowling, Chethan Sathya, MD, director of the Northwell Center for the Prevention of Gun Violence, and Joseph Sakran, MD, survivor of the gun violence, trauma surgeon and director of general emergency surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Through their advocacy, they have helped galvanize health leaders across America to urge Congress to support Hospital and Community Violence Intervention (HVIP) programs. These programs allow healthcare professionals to screen non-fatal gunshot patients to identify those at greatest risk of re-injury and connect them with support services, including risk-sensitive care. trauma, vocational training and housing.

Many health systems are already taking steps to implement intervention programs. In some cities, up to 45% of patients with a history of violent injury return with another injury within the next five years. But programs devoted to intervening at this critical time have proven to be successful. An HVIP in Baltimore, for example, saw the recurrence rate in patients drop to 5%. With a $ 1.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, Northwell Health examines patients for risk of gun violence. Firearm owners are made aware of safe firearm practices and those at high risk are linked to support services.

“Gun violence is an urgent public health crisis and a racial equity issue that requires a public health response,” said Fatimah Loren Dreier, executive director of the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention. “This is why investing in hospital and community interventions that address the underlying factors of violence is so important and so effective. ”

The request for funding comes as gun violence in America reaches crisis levels. Last year, the United States recorded a record 43,559 gun-related deaths and more than 39,000 additional injuries – and the country is poised to surpass that grim milestone this year. That’s more than the number of Americans who die from hypertension, malnutrition, HIV, Parkinson’s disease, and viral hepatitis. Like many of these diseases, gun violence disproportionately impacts communities of color. For example, gun violence is the leading cause of death among young black men in America, accounting for more deaths than the top nine causes combined.

Many of the signatories of the letter to congressional leaders are already participating in a “learning collaboration” established this spring by the Northwell Gun Violence Prevention Center to share and develop best practices to prevent gunshot wounds and deaths. fire.

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KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH GENERAL HEALTH HEALTH OTHER HEALTH

SOURCE: Northwell Health

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PUB: 07/21/2021 13:50 / DISC: 07/21/2021 13:51

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210721005815/en

Copyright Business Wire 2021.