Gun Violence Prevention

Nina Agrawal, MD, FAAP

Nina Agrawal, MD, FAAP

Dr. Nina Agrawal, MD, FAAP is the Medical Director of the Child Advocacy Center at Lincoln Medical Center in the South Bronx, where she practices child abuse pediatrics and runs the Center’s Community Pediatrics residency rotation.  She is member of the NYS AAP Chapter 2 and 3 Gun Violence Prevention Committee.

NYS AAP Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 members:

For the first time since the shootings at Sandy Hook elementary school, I feel hopeful.  The next generation is standing up for kids everywhere – rural, suburban, and urban.  They are standing up for the countless children traumatized every day by gun violence – directly and indirectly.

We had over 100 medical students, pediatric residents, and practicing physicians from programs all over NYC participate in the nation wide March for Our Patient’s Lives on March 24th.  Kudos to Hofstra medical students for coming out in huge numbers! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFWIXT6_IiM&feature=youtu.be)

We must continue to stand up and speak out!  As pediatricians, we are a trusted voice and can save lives.  Here’s what you can do NOW:

  1. LEARN
    1. Gun violence is a public health crisis. This is not politics.  This is about policies that keep children safe.  Gun violence is now the 2nd leading cause of death in children and is on the increase.  Every day we do nothing, 7 more children die.
    2. Gun violence is preventable. We need research and data to support effective policies.  Because of the Dickey Amendment stating that “no funds could be used by the CDC and NIH to advocate or promote gun control, we are 22 years behind in identifying evidence based solutions.  We need Congress to repeal the Dickey Amendment and appropriate $50 million to the CDC to do their job.
    3. We are promoting gun safety not gun control. This is similar to past highly successful public health campaigns such as Safe to Sleep and Motor Vehicle Safety.  Because of “Back to Sleep” and car seats, we have dramatically reduced deaths from these preventable injuries.  We need to do the same for gun violence.
  2. CONNECT
    1. We can’t do this alone. There are lots of opportunities to get involved.  Whatever you can give – a day, a week, a month – It all makes a difference.
    2. Connect with gun violence prevention advocacy groups like Moms Demand Action or the new Gun Violence Prevention Committee of NYS AAP Chapters 2 and 3.  Other groups always welcome white coats!
    3. Create dialogue with other health professionals. Offer to speak at noon conferences, grand rounds, etc.  Connect with speakers and ask them to present at your institution.
  3. ACT
    1. Raise awareness about the need for research – on a state level and on a federal level.  Most physicians don’t know about the Dickey Amendment. Repealing the Dickey Amendment has bipartisan support.  There is proposed legislation to create a NY State firearm research center.
    2. Put a face on gun violence. Tell your story about a patient or an experience.  Legislators have the stats but don’t have the front line experiences we have.
    3. June is gun violence prevention month.  June 2nd is wear orange day. Orange is the color for hunters, warning people not to shoot.  Host an event. Can be large or small.  We are happy to help you!

Stay tuned for a gun violence prevention summit in NYC on June 23rd organized by NY Docs – A coalition of advocacy groups dedicated to improving health for all.  To learn more, feel free to contact me.  We will be educating health professionals on policy advocacy and giving you the tools to take action.

Please read the attached letter from a 9 year old advocating to keep kids safe from guns.

 

In unity,

Nina Agrawal, MD
ninaagrawalmd@gmail.com