1. Gun Access and Safety Practices among Older Adults
- Author
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Hanna K. Flaten, Hillary D. Lum, and Marian E. Betz
- Subjects
Article Subject ,Poison control ,lcsh:Geriatrics ,Suicide prevention ,Occupational safety and health ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Injury prevention ,medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Suicidal ideation ,Suicide attempt ,business.industry ,Gun safety ,Human factors and ergonomics ,030208 emergency & critical care medicine ,16. Peace & justice ,medicine.disease ,3. Good health ,lcsh:RC952-954.6 ,Medical emergency ,Geriatrics and Gerontology ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Demography ,Research Article - Abstract
Background. Given high rates of gun ownership among older adults, geriatric providers can assess firearm safety practices using a “5 Ls” approach: Locked; Loaded; Little children; feeling Low; and Learned owner. This study describes gun access and the “5 Ls” among US older adults.Methods. Data on the “5 Ls” from the Second Injury Control and Risk Survey (ICARIS-2), a national telephone survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, were analyzed. Weighted variables were used to generate national estimates regarding prevalence of gun ownership and associated gun safety among older adults (≥55 years).Results. Of 2939 older adults, 39% (95% CI 37%–42%) reported ≥1 gun stored at home. Among those with guns at home, 21% (95% CI 18–24%) stored guns loaded and unlocked; 9.2% (95% CI 6.6–12%) had ≥1 child in household; 5.1% (95% CI 3.5–6.8%) reported past-year suicidal ideation and 3.6% (95% CI 2.1–5.2%) reported history of a suicide attempt; and 55% (95% CI 51–59%) stated that ≥1 adult had attended firearm safety workshop.Conclusion. Some older adults may be at elevated risk of firearm injury because of storage practices, suicidal thoughts, or limited safety training. Future work should assess effective approaches to reduce the risk of gun-related injuries among older adults.
- Published
- 2016