WIP 116 - Health Outcomes in Pediatric and Young Adult Victims of Firearm Violence

Poster Number: WIP 116
Publication Number: WIP 116.953

Background: Death and violent injury from firearms disproportionately affect members of marginalized communities, especially Black youth. Minority populations have increased barriers to accessing both primary and mental health care. This study aims to describe disparities and factors associated with utilization of the health care system, as well as mental health outcomes for pediatric and young adult patients in the Rochester area who presented to the emergency department (ED) with violence-associated firearm injury.

Objective: (1) To describe the demographics and health characteristics of this patient population including firearm injury characteristics and mental health status; (2) determine utilization of health care services before and after the initial firearm-related injury; (3) to assess for repeat violence-related injury and assess if referrals to violence prevention services affected health outcomes.

Design/Methods: This cross-sectional, retrospective study uses electronic health record data over a 5-year period (2018-2022) to identify patients 0-21 years of age who presented to a University of Rochester Medical Center affiliated ED with a violence-related injury from a firearm (estimated ~230 patients). Demographic data will be collected along with injury severity score, patient disposition from ED, reason for admission, mental health diagnosis if present, established PCP, received preventative visit in year prior to injury, prior use of mental health services, inpatient consults if admitted, referrals after injury, follow up and no-show rates for any referrals, and encounters for subsequent visits involving violent injury. Data will be analyzed using SAS and will include descriptive statistics and prevalence of mental health diagnosis. Trends in firearm related injury and mental health will be examined in the pre- and post-pandemic time periods. Logistic regression will assess factors that predict utilization of primary care and mental health care among patients with firearm injuries.