ACEP Among Nine Medical Organizations to Issue a Statement After Firearm Violence Advisory

United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared firearm violence in America a public health crisis, revealing that over half of U.S. adults or their family members have experienced a firearm-related incident. The number of deaths from firearm-related injuries, including suicides, homicides, and accidents, has been rising, making firearm violence the leading cause of death among children and adolescents.

This Advisory, the first from the Office of the Surgeon General on firearm violence, outlines the broad impacts of gun violence beyond death and injury. It highlights the pervasive trauma and anxiety affecting American society, with nearly 60 percent of U.S. adults frequently worrying about firearm violence. Dr. Murthy emphasized the urgency, stating, “Firearm violence is an urgent public health crisis that has led to loss of life, unimaginable pain, and profound grief for far too many Americans.”

The rate of firearm-related deaths has steadily increased due to rising homicides and suicides. In 2022, 56.1 percent of these deaths were from suicide and 40.8 percent from homicide. Nonfatal firearm injuries are estimated to be at least twice as common as fatal injuries.

“By raising awareness of this public health crisis, The Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence speaks to the gun violence that emergency physicians observe all too often, as well as the repercussions on the communities they serve,” said ACEP President Aisha T. Terry, MD, MPH, FACEP.

Joint Statement Looks at Pediatric Imaging in the ED

ACEP, alongside the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Radiology released a joint policy statement to provide guidelines for the use of advanced imaging tools in pediatric emergency care. This initiative underscores ACEP’s commitment to enhancing the quality of care for children in emergency settings by ensuring the appropriate use of advanced imaging techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

The statement, “Optimizing Advanced Imaging of the Pediatric Patient in the Emergency Department,” aims to help institutions and medical professionals balance the benefits and risks of advanced imaging in children. This collaboration was published online in Pediatrics, the Journal of the American College of Radiology and Annals of Emergency Medicine.

“These guidelines remind clinicians to weigh the risks and benefits of pediatric imaging routinely,” said ACEP President Aisha Terry, MD, MPH, FACEP. “This ensures timely and appropriate decisions that optimize benefits for our youngest patients. Standardized evaluation and diagnosis approaches using evidence-based guidelines can enhance care coordination and shared decision-making between clinicians and families.”