A Reflection on the CMA's Emerging Trends Program on Firearm Diseases in Central Ohio

Ahmad Mostafavifar, MD | President-Elect

The Columbus Medical Association (CMA) just recently had its annual Emerging Trends Program on Firearm Diseases in Central Ohio. Most medical organizations are calling firearm deaths a public health emergency. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) classifies firearm deaths into three buckets: suicides, homicides, and accidents. Other notable classifications include mass shootings and intimate partner violence.

In Ohio, we had 1764 deaths in 2020 with about two-thirds of these being suicides. Our Emerging Trends Program consisted of a broad group of lecturers that touched on each of these topics. Our Program had a pediatric trauma surgeon from Nationwide Children’s Hospital who spoke firsthand on the demands of his job due to firearm violence in our most vulnerable population. We had a social worker who is the Section Chief of Neighborhood Services from Columbus Public Health (CPH) teach us about all the wonderful programs that CPH is involved in. Many of the programs CPH is involved in are not well known but provide a very important service to the community. Another speaker was a Ph.D. Licensed Counselor and researcher in Ohio who works in suicide and trauma reduction. She spoke on the impact of firearms on suicide and intimate partner violence across Ohio. Our last speaker was a public policy and political affairs expert who spoke on the current political climate across Ohio and all the current firearm bills in the Ohio State House.

The program was fantastic and helped educate our members and the Central Ohio community on the different aspects of firearm deaths. Moving forward I think it’s important for the CMA to be involved in areas that are helpful for our patients, our members, and our community. This includes partnering with CPH, educating our providers about important firearm history taking and storage, and discussing firearm policymaking with our local elected officials.

If you are interested in being informed about future discussions/meetings about this topic (or similar) please email Lisa Oyer.