Black children and adolescents in the United States are six times more likely to die from gun violence than their white peers, according to a recent analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). The study reveals a stark racial disparity in firearm-related deaths among youth, with the gap widening since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report found that in 2022, the firearm death rate for Black youth was 12.2 per 100,000, significantly higher than any other racial or ethnic group. From 2018 to 2022, the rate of firearm deaths doubled among Black youth and increased by 73% among Hispanic youth.
“Black youth accounted for 48% of all youth firearm deaths in 2022, although they made up only 14% of the U.S. youth population,” the KFF analysis states.
The increase in firearm deaths among Black and Hispanic children and adolescents was primarily driven by gun assaults. The gun assault death rate among Black youth grew from 4.9 to 10.3 per 100,000 between 2018 and 2022, while remaining below 1.0 per 100,000 among white youth.
The study also highlights that gun violence disproportionately affects the mental health of Black children and adolescents. Exposure to gun violence is linked to post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and other mental health concerns among youth.
Despite these disparities, the report notes that Black individuals historically face additional barriers to mental health care, including a lack of culturally competent care.
The KFF analysis calls for increased attention to addressing racial disparities in gun violence and improving access to mental health services for affected communities.
See “The Impact of Gun Violence on Children and Adolescents” (February 22, 2024)April 11, 2024)
