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Dear Physicians,
We are deeply saddened by the events that transpired in Uvalde, Texas on May 24th resulting in the death of 21 innocent lives. The devastation of gun violence places a heavy weight in our hearts and minds. Tuesday’s tragedy marks the 27th school shooting in the United States this year with 213 mass shootings overall for 2022. Many school shooters have had adverse childhood experiences and addressing the role of this in prevention is important along with current gun laws. Firearm violence is a complex legal, political, educational, financial, and public health problem that has yet to be solved. As the call to legislators to take action gets louder through social media and news, we can unite to strengthen the voice of physicians in Santa Clara County by calling for policies that protect the most vulnerable.
If you are looking to get involved in addressing gun violence as a public health epidemic, please visit Scrubs Addressing the Firearm Epidemic (SAFE). SAFE gathers doctors, nurses, paramedics, medical students, and healthcare providers in the United States to highlight the significant danger that gun violence poses to our patients while using data through rigorous scientific research to counsel patients on how to best protect themselves and their families from medical risk.
The Santa Clara County Medical Association acknowledges the dissonance that many of you may be experiencing. For support or counseling to navigate through this emotional time, please visit the SCCMA Wellness page for links to find these resources.
Our thoughts are with the medical staff at Uvalde Memorial Hospital, the families that must go through this tragedy, and all those affected by gun violence in America.
In Health,
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