County-Level Social Vulnerability and Emergency Department Visits for Firearm Injuries — 10 U.S. Jurisdictions, January 1, 2018–December 31, 2021

Abstract

What is already known about this topic? At least 100,000 persons in the United States experience a fatal or nonfatal firearm injury each year. What is added by this report? During 2018–2021, among 10 jurisdictions participating in CDC’s Firearm Injury Surveillance Through Emergency Rooms program, counties with higher overall social vulnerability experienced higher proportions of emergency department visits for firearm injuries. What are the implications for public health practice? Monitoring firearm injury emergency department visits by county-level social vulnerability can help guide tailored prevention efforts that address inequities in social and structural conditions that contribute to risk for violence, including creating protective community environments, strengthening economic supports, and intervening to reduce harms and prevent future risk.