Doctors Say Gunshot Wounds Epidemic

A survey published in the Annals of Internal Medicine finds that 87% of surgeons and 94% of internists across the country believe that it’s time to consider gunshot wounds a public health epidemic--akin to AIDS, alcoholism and tobacco use. Doctors should play a more active role in trying to prevent the injuries, an accompanying position paper says, whether it’s supporting more stringent gun-control legislation or simply taking time to counsel patients.