Featured image of post Guns now leading cause of death among children and teenagers in US, data suggests

Guns now leading cause of death among children and teenagers in US, data suggests

More people aged one to 19 died from gun-related injuries in 2020 than in vehicle crashes or drugs overdoses, according to analysis of federal data by researchers at the University of Michigan.

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More people aged one to 19 died from gun-related injuries in 2020 than in vehicle crashes or drugs overdoses, according to analysis of federal data by researchers at the University of Michigan.

Highlights

  • More people aged one to 19 died from gun-related injuries in 2020 than in vehicle crashes or drugs overdoses, according to analysis of federal data by researchers at the University of Michigan.
  • The figure includes suicides, homicides and unintentional deaths.
  • This is the first time firearm injuries have surpassed motor vehicle crashes among kids, researchers said.
  • More than 45,000 people in total across the US died from firearm-related deaths in 2020 - a 13% increase when compared to 2019 - driven largely by firearm homicides, which rose by more than 33%.
  • Drug poisoning deaths increased by over 83% to become the third-leading cause of death in that same age group.