Publication Date: September 2005
What does it say?
This study provides an estimate of the reduction in life expectancy and the increase in insurance costs in the U.S. as a result of gun deaths. It was found that gun violence shortens the life of an average American by 104 days (151 days for white males and 362 days for black males). Only motor vehicle crashes were found to have a greater effect than firearm violence on life expectancy.
Compared to other affluent countries the U.S. has a low life expectancy and the rate of firearm deaths is higher than that of other high-income countries. For the year 2000 the European Union (population of over 376 million) had a total of 1,260 homicides while the U.S. recorded 10, 801 gun homicides.
The study concludes that: “the U.S. life expectancy would improve significantly with effective interventions to reduce firearm deaths.”
How can I use it?
Strengthening and enforcing sensible gun laws would be an effective and necessary measure in order to prevent unnecessary deaths in the U.S. as a result of gun violence. This will not only help increase life expectancy, but also decrease the financial burden of gun violence on the people of the United States.
Citation
Lemaire, Jean, “The Cost of Firearm Deaths in the United States: Reduced Life Expectancies and Increased Insurance Costs,” The Journal of Risk and Insurance, 72(3) (2005): 359-374
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