Why there’s so much gun violence in the U.S.—and what to do about it
In the wake of a May 24 mass shooting at an Uvalde, Texas, elementary school that left 19 students and two teachers dead, Harvard Chan School’s David Hemenway has been speaking out about why there’s so much gun…
The costs of gun violence
Gun violence survivors and their families face increased risk of mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders, according to a new study.
How to reduce gun violence in a nation of guns
Compared with other high-income countries, the U.S. has more guns and weaker gun laws—fuel for the nation’s gun violence epidemic, according to experts.
Soaring U.S. gun sales could lead to more deaths, says expert
Fears related to the coronavirus pandemic, social unrest, and the upcoming election are contributing to record gun sales in the U.S.—and more guns to lead to more deaths, says a Harvard Chan expert.
Experts welcome new federal funding for gun research
In December, Congress voted to approve $25 million for gun violence research. Experts hope the new funding will shed light on questions about gun ownership and the effectiveness of firearm policies and violence prevention efforts. The new funding…
Does creating gun-free zones increase safety?
Some communities have designated certain public spaces, like courthouses and municipal buildings, as gun-free zones. But experts say there’s no conclusive evidence as to whether establishing such zones increases safety. A December 4, 2019 story on WAMU (Washington,…
Could recent mass shootings spur action to reduce gun violence?
The federal government has not taken steps to reduce gun violence in the U.S., even after a spate of mass shootings. But other entities—such as state governments, foundations, and corporations—may be spurred to take action, according to Harvard…
Medical groups issue joint call to action on gun violence
Several high-profile medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Public Health Association, are calling for action on gun violence in the U.S. In a policy paper published in the Annals…
Can tearing down abandoned buildings reduce gun violence?
It’s possible that removing blighted structures from neighborhoods with high rates of gun violence could help reduce shootings, according to a new study. Researchers led by Jonathan Jay, postdoctoral fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health,…
Questioning the reliability of gun injury data
Recent data on nonfatal gun injuries from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may not be trustworthy, according to experts and even the CDC itself. The CDC’s most recent data suggest that between 31,000 and 236,000…