APA Joins in Call to Fund CDC Research on Gun Violence

APA offered its condolences to the victims and their families immediately after the shooting in Orlando last month.

“We are deeply saddened by the senseless violence in Orlando,” said APA President Maria A. Oquendo, M.D., in a statement. “Regrettably, the carnage in Orlando is all too familiar and reminds of similar incidents in Newtown, Conn.; Blacksburg, Va.; and San Bernardino, Calif.; and too many other places in America. APA is a healing organization, and our members will be there to help the community of Orlando heal.”

In addition, APA joined with other medical specialty societies to “urge decision makers to recognize violence as a public health threat and to take action to reduce its devastating effects.

“Our organizations and many others have called on Congress to provide the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with funding for research into the causes and prevention of gun violence,” said the statement by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and APA. “These unspeakable acts highlight gun violence as a grim and increasing public health epidemic that kills approximately 91 Americans every day. THIS MUST STOP.” ■