Otolaryngologists and Other Medical Groups Speaking Out
In May 2022, the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) sent a letter to its members urging them, regardless of political opinion and affiliation, to advocate for legislative action to prevent and reduce harm resulting from gun violence. As ASPO president, Julie L. Wei, MD, professor and academic chair of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando, encouraged members to “model taking action” to create a safer society for children by contacting federal, state, and local representatives to advocate for reasonable gun laws, such as universal background checks, that she said 90% of the country support.
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September 2022
From screening for depression and risk of suicide, to providing care for elderly adults with dementia, to counseling on safe firearm storage, … and even to advocacy for evidence-based policies in their communities, clinicians are poised to make a profound impact on patients’ lives and their risk of firearm violence. —Katherine Hoops, MD, MPH
“I believe pediatric otolaryngologists, along with all physicians who care for children, regardless of surgical or medical specialty, have a role in society to increase awareness, contribute to education, and facilitate or guide patients and families toward necessary holistic care,” said Dr. Wei in an interview, underscoring the broad range of gun-related physical and emotional wounds that can negatively impact a person for a lifetime.
Dr. Wei said that the ASPO’s response to gun violence aligns with that of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which has advocated for years that gun violence should be seen as a public health issue (http://aap.org/en/advocacy/gun-violence-prevention/). In November, the AAP launched a new coalition advocating for research funding for gun violence prevention.
A partner in that coalition is the American Thoracic Society (ATS). In June 2022, the ATS published a letter urging Congress to swiftly adopt gun laws, among other recommendations (thoracic.org/about/newsroom/atsurges- swift-adoption-of-gun-laws. php). “As healthcare professionals and, more importantly, as citizens, it is long past time to demand that all elected officials, regardless of political affiliation, make a commitment to common- sense and meaningful changes to reduce the impact of gun violence in the United States,” said Stuart Sweet, MD, chair of the ATS Health Policy Committee, in an interview.
Dr. Sweet underscored the reality that ATS members treat gunshot victims in the intensive care unit and see firsthand the violence a bullet can do to the human body. “We know the pain, disfigurement, and death caused by gun violence,” he said. “As healers, it is our job to look for solutions and support the work of people who do have solutions.”