Harvard report outlines Utah data, offers strategies to prevent firearm-related suicide
By Ashley Sumner
A new legislative report says 85 percent of firearms deaths in Utah are suicides and offers prevention strategies such as temporarily reducing access to firearms for those who are at risk of using a gun in their attempt. The report, presented Nov. 14 at the Health and Human Services interim committee meeting at the Utah state legislature, was prepared by the Harvard School of Public Health using data from multiple Utah state agencies including the Office of the Medical Examiner, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health and the Utah Department of Public Safety. The study was the result of a directive from H.B. 440, 2016 legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Eliason (R) and Rep. Brian King (D).
Utah has already established itself as a leader in bringing gun stakeholders into the conversation about suicide prevention and developing innovative outreach strategies. The H.B. 440 report establishes Utah as a leader in linking data from disparate data sources to best learn from yesterday’s tragedies and how to prevent tomorrow’s.
—Eighty-five percent of firearm deaths in Utah are suicides, and most suicides are by firearm.
—Healthcare systems play an important role in comprehensive, community-oriented prevention.
—Not all suicides are “planned,” and relationship problems play a major role in suicide deaths.
—Most people who die by suicide could pass a background check for firearm possession.
—Homicides are very rare in Utah, and when they do occur, the perpetrator is most often an acquaintance, family member, or intimate partner. Homicides by a stranger are almost non-existent.
View a summary of findings and proposed actions here.
Articles related to “Harvard report outlines Utah data, offers strategies to prevent firearm-related suicide”
Report on senior health shows rural health disparities, high Utah suicide rates
Dixie State University disappoints record number of freshmen
Reps. Stewart and Delaney introduce Suicide Prevention Analytics Act
