American Academy of Nursing releases recommendations in response to mass shootings

The American Academy of Nursing has released its policy brief with recommendations in response to the repeated and unabated mass shootings within the United States. The February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 individuals were murdered in a mass shooting, has led to increased public support for policy change at both the state and national level. This epidemic of violence has become a serious public health hazard affecting the nation. 

Mass shootings are defined as the murder of four or more people (other than the shooter) within one or more locations within close proximately to each other. Several individual, family and community risk factors related to an increased risk for violence and mass shootings have been identified: intimate partner violence (IPV), toxic stress, bullying, and mental health. All of these risk factors appear to be contributors to this major public health issue. 

The Academy’s policy brief, “American Academy of Nursing on Policy: Recommendations in Response to Mass Shootings,” was published in the May/June 2018 issue of the Academy’s journal, Nursing Outlook. 

“The Academy has long advocated for a reduction in gun violence. The recent rash of these tragic mass shootings makes it clear that the time for action is now,” said Academy President Karen Cox, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The nation needs to address this head-on by focusing on the underlying public health risk factors that are related to an increase in violence and mass shootings.” 

The Academy recommends a public health approach to solving the issue of mass shootings, by both distinguishing the risk factors, and then identifying actionable solutions. The Academy calls for the creation of a nonpartisan National Commission on Mass Shootings to achieve these goals. The Academy also recommends funding for research to examine the root causes of gun violence and mass shootings should be expanded. The outcomes from research should support the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to prevent gun violence and its effects. 

Read the full policy brief.

About the American Academy of Nursing
The American Academy of Nursing (AANnet.org) serves the public and the nursing profession by advancing health policy, practice and science through organizational excellence and effective nursing leadership. The Academy's more than 2,500 fellows are nursing's most accomplished leaders in education, management, practice, policy, and research. They have been recognized for their extraordinary contributions to nursing and healthcare.