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VP Kamala Harris says she plans to 'earn and win' Democratic nomination after Joe Biden drops out and endorses her; New Alabama bill threatens voter rights, legal challenge ensues; Fact-checking GOP claims on immigrants; Water contamination a concern in Midwest flood aftermath.

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President Joe Biden drops his 2024 re-election bid. He's endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his spot on the ticket, and election experts say they see benefits to this decision.

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It's grass-cutting season and with it, rural lawn mower races, Montana's drive-thru blood project is easing shortages, rural Americans spend more on food when transportation costs are tallied, and a lack of good childcare is thwarting rural business owners.

Gun-related injuries on the rise among Colorado children

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Monday, May 20, 2024   

Firearm-related injuries in Colorado hit a peak in 2022, with over 7,000 health care claims and at a cost of $8.4 million, according to a new analysis by the Center for Improving Value in Health Care.

Cari Frank, vice president for communications with the center, said nearly nine in ten gun-related injury claims were for adults.

But she said there were alarming spikes in the rate of these injuries among children.

"For children and youth, the rate of firearm injury claims was the highest percent increase," said Frank. "It increased 120%. Which says that unfortunately kids are tending to unintentionally harm themselves as a result of firearms."

Data from the Colorado All Payer Claims Database showed that unintentional injuries were the most common type of firearm injuries across all age groups, and in both rural and metropolitan areas.

But Frank noted that those injuries rose the most among children, up by 143% between 2016 and 2022.

Men had significantly more gun injury claims than women, with rates four times higher for unintentional injuries, three times higher for assault, and two-and-a-half times higher for self-harm.

But Frank said women also saw increases in gun injuries.

"Even though men tend to have more firearm-related injuries," said Frank, "females have seen a spike with the percentages really increasing for the undetermined intent, and then also assault was the second highest spike for women."

Frank said she hopes policy makers, and voters, will find the data useful in measuring the impact of work currently being done to address firearm violence and deaths.

Frank said she believes continued focus on education and community-tailored prevention programs is critical.

"Through either education," said Frank, "or gun safety programs that can prevent these types of firearm injuries that are happening across the state more and more."



Disclosure: Center for Improving Value in HealthCare contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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