Rates of gun injuries last year remained above levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic for a fourth straight year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday, looking at data from ambulance calls in 27 states collected through September 2023.Last year's elevated rates come as many communities have seen rates of firearm violence improve in the wake of a surge during the initial years of the pandemic.
By income, rates were also highest in counties with the most income inequality and higher unemployment rates. Rates remained highest in males compared with females, similar to before the COVID-19 pandemic, but increases relative to 2019 'were larger among females.' Similar to the overall rate, both males and females saw higher rates of gun-related injuries in 2023 than in 2019.