Interdisciplinary Action to Combat Global Gun Violence

Civilian gun violence claims an estimated 600 lives every day around the world, with countless more suffering debilitating injuries that significantly reduce their quality of life. Although homicides make up most global civilian gun-related deaths at approximately 71%, unintentional firearm discharges and self-harm are also substantial causes of mortality attributable to gun violence. This burden disproportionately affects males and young people, and just six countries—Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, the USA, and Venezuela — account for two-thirds of global gun deaths.

The high burden of gun-related deaths and injuries points to a need to find effective solutions and build an evidence-led, global, and renewed understanding of the relationship between guns and health. This understanding must be a multidisciplinary effort that includes the direct and indirect health outcomes associated with gun violence, as well as its economics, political economy, and sociocultural consequences.

This panel will explore innovative, interdisciplinary strategies to address the pervasive issue of global gun violence. Experts from economics, political science, and public health will discuss their collaborative efforts to understand and mitigate the root causes of gun violence worldwide. The Global Health Lab Session aims to highlight successful interventions and advocate for comprehensive policies that help communities and governments catalyze concerted action at local and international levels and translate research findings into tangible Solutions.