Gun violence in our communities is a serious health issue | Health

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Doctors say the epidemic of gun violence in our communities is becoming a serious health problem.

Tennessee is the top state in the South for violent crime and ranks seventh in the nation for firearm homicides, according to the CDC.

“This is a very demanding job, whether it's a car accident, a fall or a firearm injury,” said Joshua Dugal, director of Regional One's Elvis Presley Trauma Center. , because we know that all trauma, no matter what, is preventable.” Memphis said.

However, healthcare workers at trauma centers are seeing more and more people arriving each day with life-threatening gunshot wounds.

“We actually saw a 9% increase from 2022 to 2023,” Dugal said. “Last year actually ended with 1,526 people injured and treated at Regional One due to gun violence here.”

It's not just Memphis.

“According to the FBI, Tennessee ranks number one in violent crime in the South,” said Sen. London Lamar.

That's why Democratic Sen. London Lamar of Memphis and U.S. Rep. Justin Jones of Nashville are taking a new approach to combating gun violence.

Their proposed bill focuses on TennCare, the state's health care program. This would allow governors to expand Medicaid eligibility solely for the purpose of providing gun violence prevention services.

“These are federal funds that can be used to expand violence intervention strategies and programs in communities most affected by gun violence,” said Sen. Lamar.

Sen. Lamar said seven states have passed legislation authorizing the use of Medicaid match dollars to increase funding for violence prevention programs.

She hopes Tennessee will be next.

“We're putting more money into the causes of deaths because they're the ones affected by gun violence, and we're putting more money into preventing those deaths in the first place,” said Senator Lamar. “There is,” he said.

FOX13 reached out to Governor Lee's office and House Speaker Cameron Sexton's office to ask what they think about the bill.

Neither had responded by the time this article was published.

Meanwhile, Regional One in Memphis has launched its own violence prevention program to reduce gun violence.

This includes a “prescription for change.” We provide support and guidance to victims of violence by connecting clients with community resource partners.