FIREARM INJURY RISK AMONG PRIMARY-CARE PATIENTS

Background. Firearm injuries are the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. Evidence suggests that availability of guns in the home is associated with an increased risk of homicide, suicide, and un intentional injuries and fatalities. Our study examined five demograph ically diverse primary care practices in Oregon to determine the exten t to which patients and members of their households might be at risk f or firearm injuries. Methods. Six hundred and four consecutive English -speaking patients who were at least 18 years old and seeking care at the five different practices were surveyed. Participants were asked ab out the presence of firearms in the home, methods of storage, history of firearm safety training, and history of firearm counseling by their physicians Results. Forty-two percent of respondents reported having at least one firearm in the home. In homes with fire-arms, 48% contain ed at least one firearm that was stored unlocked, and 26% contained at least one firearm stored loaded. Twenty percent of homes with childre n contained at least one unlocked firearm, and 10% contained a loaded firearm. Forty-seven percent of those homes with both children and fir earms had at least one gun that was stored unlocked, and 26% contained at least one loaded firearm. Those who reported having had formal fir earm safety training were no more likely to store their firearms safel y than those without such training. Only 3% of respondents reported th at their physician had ever talked with them about gun safety. Conclus ions. Our data indicate that a substantial number of patients cared fo r by primary care physicians are at risk for firearm injuries.