Gun violence prevention, policies to be examined at event

Preventing firearm-related injury and death will be the topic of “Preventing Firearm Injury in the Greater Houston Area Through Purpose and Policy,” June 21.

Firearm-related injuries and deaths are on the rise, with a growing number of adolescents experiencing mental health issues and surges in homicides, unintentional shootings, and school-based violence. The symposium will feature experts and advocates highlighting local research efforts in firearm injury prevention, public health-based community interventions, and other innovative strategies to address violence in the Greater Houston area and beyond. It will conclude with a panel discussion with local leaders.

The event is co-sponsored by UTHealth Houston, the Baker Institute’s Center for Health and Biosciences, and Baylor College of Medicine. Additional support is provided by the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Center for Violence Prevention.

The symposium consists of eight panels, with McGovern Medical School faculty featuring throughout. In Panel 2 Sandra McKay, MD, associate professor of pediatrics and nonresident fellow in firearm injury prevention and safety at the Baker Institute Center for Health and Biosciences, will discuss “Firearm Injury” Unintentional Shootings” with Zoabe Hafeez, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics; and Mary Aitken, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics.

Panel 4, “Firearm Injury: School-Based Violence” features Lillian Kao, MD, professor of surgery and director of the Division of Acute Care Surgery, while McKay returns for Panel 7 in an “Overview of Firearm Injury Prevention Policies.”

For a complete agenda, schedule, and list of speakers, click here.

The event will be held from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at James A. Baker III Hall in Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (6100 Main St.). The symposium is free, but registration is required.

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