A study from Children's Hospital in Philadelphia found that children who live in rural areas are as likely to die by guns as those in big cities. However, gun deaths in rural areas tend to be suicides, and gun deaths in urban areas tend to be homicides.
The rate for both areas was about four deaths per every 100,000 children.
In large cities, the rate of suicide by firearms was less than one per 100,000 children, compared to a 2.75 rate in rural areas. However, the gun-homicide rate in cities was 3.8 per 100,000, compared to 0.8 in rural areas.
Lead researcher Dr. Michael Nance said the results of his study indicate that programs about gun safety and suicide prevention should be adjusted according to regional differences.
The study appeared in the journal Pediatrics.
Labels: violence, suicide, death
Posted By: Jane St. Clair