A Parallel Pandemic: Increased Firearm Injuries at Five Northern California Trauma Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Interrupted Time-series Analysis.
Ann Surg
; 275(5): e725-e727, 2022 05 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2051782
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to characterize changes in firearm injuries at 5 level 1 trauma centers in Northern California in the 12âmonths following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the preceding 4âyears, accounting for regional variations and seasonal trends. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA Increased firearm injuries have been reported during the early peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic despite shelter-in-place restrictions. However, these data are overwhelmingly from singlecenter studies, during the initial phase of the pandemic prior to lifting of shelter-in-place restrictions, or do not account for seasonal trends.METHODS:
An interrupted time-series analysis (ITSA) of all firearm injuries presenting to 5 adult level 1 trauma centers in Northern California was performed (January 2016to February 2021). ITSA modeled the association of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020) with monthly firearm injuries using the ordinary least-squares method, included month indicators to adjust for seasonality, and specified lags of up to 12âmonths to account for autocorrelation.RESULTS:
Prior to the start of COVID-19, firearm injuries averaged (±SD) of 86 (±16) and were decreasing by 0.5/month (P < 0.01). The start of COVID- 19 (March 2020) was associated with an alarming increase of 39 firearm injuries/month (P < 0.01) followed by an ongoing rise of 3.5/mo (P < 0.01). This resulted in an average of 130 (±26) firearm injuries/month during the COVID-19 period and included 8 of the 10 highest monthly firearm injury rates in the past 5âyears.CONCLUSIONS:
These data highlight an alarming escalation in firearm injuries in the 12âmonths following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern California. Additional studies and resources are needed to better understand and address this parallel public health crisis.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Wounds, Gunshot
/
Firearms
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
Ann Surg
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Sla.0000000000005334
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