Want to fix systematic gun violence? Treat it like a public health issue, experts say

Californians have recovered from the shock of three separate mass shootings in a week, in which 24 people were killed and 10 injured.

While gun violence is generally considered a criminal justice and public policy issue, public health experts say it only addresses the issue after it has happened.

According to research, understanding the underlying causes of gun violence, including mental health issues, job loss, or financial hardship, is the key to preventing it in the first place.

Experts also point out that in addition to the staggering loss of life, there is also an economic toll in the form of lost jobs, medical services and resources for the victims, including medical bills, consultations, legal fees, financial restitution and more.

Despite the widespread recognition of this issue as a public health issue, the political deadlock regarding gun rights and access remains an obstacle to addressing this issue.

Dr. Michael Rodriguez and Dr. Nines Ponce of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health joined Midday Edition on Tuesday to talk about gun violence as a public health issue.

  • The shooting in Monterey Park over the Lunar New Year weekend serves as another reminder of how random acts of mass violence can be. We are talking about the impact of mass violence on mental health.

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