INEP published a call for the World Health Organization, governments, and health policy decision-makers worldwide to recognize the global epidemic of privately-owned firearm violence. They are called upon to take meaningful action to support and engage epidemiologists and other researchers to address firearm violence prevention as an urgent and preventable public health issue.

This INEP Policy Brief is an unprecedented combined call to action by epidemiology professional groups from around the world to take effective actions to address firearm violence and its underlying causes. It is the contribution of our member organizations to the ongoing discussion regarding firearm violence at the international level; it is also highly relevant in the US, where rates of private firearm ownership and firearm violence are particularly high. Epidemiologists have the skills to move the debate about firearm violence into evidence-based prevention and public health actions and policies. We must do more to prevent and mitigate the effects of firearm violence in the communities we serve.

The Editorial, The Role of Epidemiology in Firearm Violence Prevention: A Policy Brief was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology on April 27, 2018. Lead authors Amy B Davis, James A Gaudino, Colin L Soskolne, and Wael K Al-Delaimy.

The American Academy of Pediatrics announced its endorsement in the August 2018 issue of the journal, Pediatrics. The Policy Brief was endorsed by 18 INEP member organizations.