Gun Violence in America
Pregnancy
Mixed media collage • 23 × 9 × 20 in
Facts
- Homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women in the U.S., surpassing obstetric causes like hemorrhage or hypertensive disorders. -Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- One study showed that 68 percent of pregnancy-related homicides involved guns. -Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- Homicide rates among pregnant women increase with the rate of firearm ownership, according to a state-by-state study published in JAMA Network Open.
- Researchers found that the firearm homicide rate for pregnant women was 37 percent higher than the rate for nonpregnant women. These deaths are often linked to intimate partner violence, which disproportionately affects pregnant individuals—especially Black women. —Stateline
Possible Solutions Underway
- Pregnancy is often a time of frequent health care visits for prenatal and postpartum care. Clinical recommendations call for screening for violence during health care encounters, including prenatal and postpartum visits. Screening can be the first step in connecting individuals with assistance and services to reduce violence exposure and prevent further harms.
- Strategies to prevent intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and community violence can also prevent violence around the time of pregnancy. The goal is to stop violence before it happens and address the norms, structures, and policies that contribute to violence against girls, women, and people who may become pregnant.
- Medical facilities should post information about resources for patients who feel unsafe.