Friday, June 6, 2025, is Gun Violence Awareness Day. At Cooper, we are committed to raising awareness and preventing gun violence through our Level 1 Trauma Center, Trauma Prevention Outreach team, and SafeKids Southern New Jersey. Additionally, our Hospital Violence Intervention Program uses trauma-informed care to support victims of gun violence by providing access to community resources, victims of crime assistance, and essential connections to improve their individual circumstances.
According to the CDC Provisional Gun Violence Data:
- In 2023, gun violence claimed 46,728 lives, marking the third-highest number of gun-related deaths ever recorded in the United States.
- Firearm suicides reached a record high, with 27,300 deaths, reflecting a 1.5% increase from the previous year.
- Gun homicides declined by 8.6% in 2023, yet disparities remain. Black individuals continue to experience gun homicide rates 13 times higher than their white counterparts.
- For the fourth consecutive year, guns have been the leading cause of death among children and teens (ages 1-17). While the gun homicide rate for this group decreased by 3% in 2023, their overall gun-related death rate has nearly doubled over the past decade.
This Friday, June 6, we encourage team members to wear orange to show unity in our fight against gun violence. Be sure to share photos of you and your team on Pulse+.
To learn more about our Trauma Outreach Prevention resources, contact Sarah Cunningham at 856.342.3341. For a gunlock kit to keep your firearm secured at home, please contact Maureen Donnelly at 856.342.2080. For more information regarding the Hospital Violence Intervention Program, contact Steven Zick at 856.342.2927.