CDC Media Briefing — New Vital Signs Report Firearm deaths show historic increase What can be done to prevent firearm homicides and suicides?

What

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a 35% increase in the firearm homicide rate, with the rate in 2020 reaching its highest level in over 25 years, according to a new CDC Vital Signs report. The firearm suicide rate remained persistently high with increases among some groups. These increases have widened racial, ethnic, and other disparities in firearm homicides and suicides. Join us to learn details of these new findings and what can be done to reduce firearm deaths and related disparities.

Who

Debra E. Houry, M.D., M.P.H., CDC Acting Principal Deputy Director and Director of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Thomas R. Simon, Ph.D., Associate Director for Science, CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention

When

Tuesday, May 10, at 12:00 p.m. ET

Dial-In   

Media: 800-369-1177
International Media: 1-773-756-4809
PASSCODE: 6083932

Non-Media: 888-957-9870
International Non-Media: 1-210-839-8505
PASSCODE: 8999808

Important Instructions
If you would like to ask a question during the call, press *1 on your touchtone phone. Press *2 to withdraw your question.

You may queue up at any time. You will hear a tone to indicate your question is pending.

TRANSCRIPT
A transcript will be available following the briefing at CDC’s website: www.cdc.gov/media.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.