November 2025 Pediatric Lecture Series: Pediatric Firearm Injury Prevention and Advocacy-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This AAPMNR Peds Rehab Lecture focused on firearm safety advocacy, presented by Drs. Jaffe, Ashok, and Warnick. The speakers emphasized the growing public health crisis of firearm injuries, now the leading cause of death among American children, surpassing motor vehicle crashes. Dr. Warnick shared her harrowing personal experience as a mass shooting survivor to highlight the urgency of prevention. They discussed multi-level advocacy approaches: community engagement, patient-level interventions, and legislative advocacy.<br /><br />Safe storage laws and child access prevention (CAP) policies were underscored as evidence-based strategies reducing firearm-related deaths, unintentional injuries, and suicides. Dr. Ashok reviewed research demonstrating stronger firearm laws correlate with 42% fewer firearm deaths and testified to the effectiveness of policies like universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), which enjoy bipartisan support. They stressed the importance of accurate information and culturally sensitive communication to build broad coalitions.<br /><br />The presenters encouraged healthcare providers to leverage their trusted clinical roles, share patient stories, and engage in advocacy activities ranging from education to lobbying, tailored to their comfort levels. National organizations like On Call for Kids offer platforms for collaboration and action. Ultimately, the lecture called on physicians and allied health professionals to use their unique perspectives in preventing firearm injury, fostering safer communities while combating moral injury among healthcare workers.

Keywords

firearm safety

pediatric rehabilitation

firearm injury prevention

child access prevention

safe storage laws

public health advocacy

mass shooting survivor

legislative advocacy

healthcare provider role