Half of Chicago residents will see a shooting before turning 40, according to a study.

Chicagoans Living with Trauma from Gun Violence

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has revealed that over half of all Chicagoans will witness a shooting by the time they reach 40 years old. The study, which tracked over 2,000 Chicagoans for 25 years, found that the numbers were even more alarming when broken down by race. Over half of all Black and Latino participants had already witnessed a shooting by age 40, compared to only one-fourth of white participants.

Startling and Disturbing Findings

Charles Lanfear, an assistant professor at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology and study author, expressed his shock at the results, stating, “We expected levels of exposure to gun violence to be high, but not this high. Our findings are frankly startling and disturbing. A substantial portion of Chicago’s population could be living with trauma as a result of witnessing shootings and homicides, often at a very young age.”

Impact on Mental and Physical Health

The study found that the average age for witnessing a shooting was 14 years old, with women only slightly less likely than men to have undergone such a traumatic experience. Men, however, were much more likely to be gunshot victims. The long-term stress of exposure to firearm violence can contribute to everything from lower test scores for school kids to diminished life expectancy through heart disease.

Disparities in Gun Violence Rates

The study also highlighted the disparities in gun violence rates based on race and location. Rates of shootings within a 250-meter radius of where Black participants lived were over 12 times higher than for areas around the homes of white participants. In the case of Latino participants, the rates of shootings were roughly four times higher than white participants.

Bold Action Needed

The study’s findings underscore the urgent need for bold action to address gun violence in Chicago and across the country. It is not enough to simply acknowledge the problem; we must take concrete steps to prevent gun violence and support those who have been impacted by it.

• Invest in community-based violence prevention programs
• Strengthen gun laws to keep firearms out of the hands of those who pose a risk to themselves or others
• Provide trauma-informed care and support for those who have witnessed or experienced gun violence

Only by working together can we create safer communities for all.

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