The Collaborate Short Reports are designed to provide a snapshot of data insights on relevant topics that relate to patient care, crew safety, operational management, and public health. They highlight and summarize key analysis and findings to drive industry awareness, validation, and more in-depth research.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has identified firearm-related incidents as the top five leading causes of death for individuals under the age of 65.1 While intentionality of firearm-related incidents is not always known in the prehospital setting, U.S. trauma centers have seen an increase in patients with violent injuries, including firearm-related, over the past 12 months.2 Firearm-related incidents are a public health concern and can utilize valuable and often strained Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

This Collaborate report is a large sample of data from across the nation where firearm-related incidents are seen in the prehospital setting. This report looks at how these incidents have changed across age groups and different regions from 2018 to 2020. The goal is to add valuable data to not only the prehospital industry but also bridge the gap with public health programs and initiatives.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Violence Prevention: Firearm Violence Prevention. Retrieved Aug 23, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/ violenceprevention/firearms/fastfact.html
2. R. Fojut, How trauma centers are responding to the increase of violence in the U.S. Trauma System News. (2021) https://www.trauma-news. com/2021/08/how-trauma-centers-are-responding-to-the-increase-of-violence-in-the-u-s/