Title: The Medical Costs of Gunshot Injuries in the United States

Publication Date: August 1999

What does it say?

This study puts together an estimate of the medical costs of firearm-related injuries in the U.S. and the proportion of this cost that is borne by different sources. In 1994 there were 134,445 gunshot injuries in the U.S. The study estimates that the average medical cost per injury was about $17, 000 producing a total in lifetime medical costs of $2.3 billion. $1.1 billion of this, or almost half (49 percent) was borne by U.S. taxpayers. Firearm-related injuries due to assault accounted for 74% of total costs.

How can I use it?

Reducing gun violence will not only save lives but will also lessen the burden of medical costs borne by the U.S. medical care system that results from gunshot injuries. Universal background checks and the strengthening of common sense laws and practices will reduce and prevent gun violence, reduce the financial burden to taxpayers and help keep our families safer.

Citation

Cook, Philip J, Bruce A. Lawrence, Jens Ludwig, and Ted R. Miller., “The Medical Costs of Gunshot Injuries in the United States,” JAMA, 282(5) (1999): 447-454

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