RUSH has joined several other local health systems in a coordinated effort to incorporate firearm safety prevention strategies into children’s routine health care. Firearm-related deaths surpassing automobile accidents and cancer as the leading cause of death in children in the United States is galvanizing health care systems to take more assertive prevention approaches, with more than 1,000 hospitals joining the Hospitals United campaign.
“That guns have overtaken all other causes of death for our nation’s children, impose overwhelming trauma to and in our communities, and highlight inequities means complacency is not an option,” said Ted Corbin, MD, chairperson of the Department of Emergency Medicine at RUSH University Medical Center. “Everyone should be shocked, outraged and united in action. RUSH is proud to join local health care providers so parents are better equipped to have the gun safety and storage discussions that will protect children in their homes and while in the homes of others.”
According to CDC data, guns are the leading cause of death for kids. Thirteen children die from firearms every day. To help address this crisis and encourage parents to take action by asking about gun safety, RUSH joined Advocate Aurora Health and Advocate Children’s Hospital, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University Health System, Edward-Elmhurst Health, Northwestern Medicine and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, OSF HealthCare and OSF Children’s of Illinois, UChicago Medicine and Comer Children’s Hospital joined more than a thousand hospitals, health systems and associations in communicating a public awareness campaign. More details can be found at www.hospitalsunited.com and this campaign video.
By asking about safe gun storage, the campaign is meant to help parents and caretakers feel empowered to ask other parents about access to guns. Broadcast, print and digital ads and a website highlight that access to unlocked guns can lead to death, suicide and gun violence, making it more likely that children die from guns than cancer or automobile accidents. The website provides tips on how to have a conversation with other parents about safely stored firearms, and encourages parents and caregivers to normalize this conversation.
To learn more, visit HospitalsUnited.com.
About Hospitals United
Impetus for this and other public service campaigns comes from over 100 healthcare marketing and communications executives representing the nation’s most prominent health systems, children’s hospitals, and hospital and health associations. Meeting regularly for a decade, they share knowledge, experience, best practices and resources, knowing they can accomplish more together. Founded and led by national healthcare leader Rhoda Weiss, PhD, the expanded coalition is partnering with Northwell Health, its Senior Vice President Ramon Soto and its Gun Violence Prevention Learning Collaborative for Hospitals and Health Systems for this effort. Many participants are also forming regional coalitions to offer messages of prevention and safety, hope and healing.
