Trends and Disparities in Firearm Injuries Among Emerging Adults: A 15-Year Analysis of Emergency Department Admissions in the U.S.

Findings underscore the need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate firearm injuries among emerging adults in the U.S. The significant increase in unintentional firearm injuries and assaults during COVID-19, coupled with the decline in nonfirearm injuries during this time, underscores the complex interplay of social isolation, increased firearm exposure, and broader societal disruptions. Disparities based on sex, insurance status, and geography further emphasize the necessity for public health interventions. Addressing these multifactorial influences and disparities is essential to developing effective, evidence-based policies. Future research should prioritize enhancing data collection on nonfatal firearm injuries and standardizing reporting systems to support these efforts.