FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement attributable to:
Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH
President and CEO
America’s Essential Hospitals
WASHINGTON — We mourn the terrible loss of life in Uvalde, Texas, and join others in the health care community in an urgent call for action to improve gun safety and reduce gun violence as necessary measures to protect public health.
We must act now and do more to understand and confront the root causes of violence. Essential hospitals know the imperative of this work, due to their mission of serving marginalized people at heightened risk of interpersonal violence and their experience as front-line caregivers for mass casualty events.
Action must involve all with a stake in building safe and healthy communities and embrace comprehensive strategies to end the epidemic of violence in our country. Better access to mental health care and social services are important parts of the equation, but not solutions on their own. Sustainable solutions also will require policymaking, research, and prevention.
We stand with all who have been touched by violence, and we commit to doing our part to build safer and healthier communities.
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About America’s Essential Hospitals
America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading association and champion for hospitals dedicated to equitable, high-quality care for all, including those who face social and financial barriers to care. Since 1981, America’s Essential Hospitals has advanced policies and programs that promote health, health care access, and equity. We support our more than 300 members with advocacy, policy development, research, education, and leadership development. Communities depend on essential hospitals for care across the continuum, health care workforce training, research, public health and health equity, and other services. Essential hospitals innovate and adapt to lead all of health care toward better outcomes and value.
Contact:
Carl Graziano
cgraziano@essentialhospitals.org
202.585.0102
Author