On September 28, 2023, the New Mexico Department of Health released a comprehensive report on gunshot victims presenting at hospitals in the state. The report reveals concerning patterns of firearm injuries and deaths in New Mexico over the past few decades.
According to the report, New Mexico has seen an increase in firearm-related violent deaths and injuries from 1999 to 2023. The state ranks third-highest in the nation for firearm-related deaths in 2021, with an 87% increase in age-adjusted firearm death rates from 2010 to 2021. Men across all age groups are at the highest risk, with disparities observed among non-Hispanic American Indian, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic populations.
One of the most alarming trends identified in the report is the vulnerability of youth to gun violence. There has been an increase in firearm-related emergency department visits for children aged 0-17, especially among those aged 14-17. This highlights the urgent need for intervention and prevention strategies to protect the younger population.
The severity of health outcomes related to firearm injuries has also escalated. The report shows a 16% increase in patients requiring intensive care for firearm injuries and a 61% rise in patients transferred from the emergency department to the operating room between 2019 and 2022. This puts a significant burden on the healthcare system and requires immediate attention.
Patrick Allen, Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health, emphasized the urgency of the situation. He said, "The findings of this report are clear: New Mexico faces an urgent firearm-related injury crisis. The alarming surge in firearm-related injuries and deaths revealed in this report demands our immediate attention. We must work together as a community to implement effective interventions that will save lives and reduce the economic burden on our healthcare system."
The report also highlights the role of alcohol and substance dependence in contributing to firearm-related deaths, both through homicides and suicides. Additionally, unsafe firearm storage practices are prevalent in households with children under 18, where loaded and unlocked firearms are common. This poses a significant risk to the safety of children in these households.
The economic toll of firearm injuries on New Mexico's healthcare system is estimated at $6 billion, or $2818 per capita. This includes an increase in Medicaid claims for firearm injuries, totaling $5.6 million between January and September 2023.
The New Mexico Department of Health urges the community to come together and implement effective interventions to address the firearm-related injury crisis. It is crucial to prioritize the safety of youth, address alcohol and substance dependence, and promote responsible firearm storage practices. The full report, "Comprehensive Report on Gunshot Victims Presenting at Hospitals in New Mexico," is available on the New Mexico Department of Health website for those interested in delving deeper into the findings.