Hospitals Join Initiative to Address Gun Safety

Over 1,000 hospitals and health associations are encouraging parents to speak openly about gun safety.

By HFT Staff


Over 1,000 hospitals and health associations have joined Northwell Health’s initiative to encourage parents to speak openly about gun safety. The campaign aims to reduce deaths caused by guns among children by having adults talk about gun safety and access. Thirteen children die from gun-related violence in the United States every day,, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making it the leading cause of death in kids. 

Northwell Health, for the past five years, has made gun violence prevention a priority by helping educate, inform and spark change. These efforts include: 

  • establishing The Gun Violence Prevention Center to develop best practices for hospitals and form a national coalition of healthcare leaders to depolarize gun safety  
  • convening in 2019 its first Gun Violence Prevention Forum. The next forum aims to mobilize the collective efforts of leading executives, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers around gun violence as a public health emergency 
  • forming The Gun Violence Prevention Learning Collaborative, a grassroots initiative that gives health care professionals the space to have dialogue, share best practices and take action  
  • securing a $1.4 million National Institutes of Health grant to study gun violence prevention and establish and implement a first-of-its-kind protocol to universally screen those at risk of firearm injury. The ongoing research study is entitled “We Ask Everyone. Firearm Safety is a Health Issue.”   
  • installing an AI-based touchless weapon detection system across our hospitals to promote and sustain a safe environment for team members, providers, patients and visitors. 


October 4, 2022


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Must Know Recalls of 2025

For the safety of our readers, Healthcare Facilities Today has closely followed all recall notices related to the industry.


Sustainability as a Baseline in Healthcare Facilities

Hospitals can balance costs, build resilience and learn from global models for sustainable design to further their green goals.


Comanche County Memorial Hospital and Southwestern Medical Center Join to Form Partnership

The partnership will go into effect by the end of December 2025.


Choosing a Disinfectant That Kills Biofilm

Bacteria form biofilms in pipes from which cells can be released during sink use and spread outside the drains in droplets or as aerosols.


Third-Party Data Breach Case Underscores Need for Cyber Risk Management

Plaintiffs alleged negligence in safeguarding patient data; defendants denied wrongdoing but settled to avoid litigation costs.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.