2 research outputs found
Association Between Firearm Purchasing in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress, August 2021
Introduction: Firearm sales and firearm-related injuries and deaths increased during the pandemic. Little is known about motivations for firearm purchasing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the mental health status of first-time purchasers. The purpose of this study was to estimate the association between firearm purchasing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and stress. Methods: The authors analyzed data from a survey that approximated a nationally representative sample of American adults (N=3,528) who either did not own firearms (n=2,327) or purchased firearms for the first time in response to the pandemic (n=240). Self-reported stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms were determined using standardized self-assessment questionnaires (Perceived Stress Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, respectively). Using multivariable logistic regression, the association between firearm purchasing and each mental health measure were assessed after controlling for demographics and other determinants. Results: In each model, first-time firearm owners were more likely to be younger, live in urban areas, believe the government does too much for its citizens, stay home, stock up on items, and keep their children at home. First-time owners had significantly higher odds of anxiety and depressive symptoms than non-owners (AOR=1.05; 95% CI=1.04, 1.07 and AOR=1.15; 95% CI=1.04, 1.26, respectively). Conclusions: First-time firearm purchasers report higher depressive and anxiety symptoms than non-owners, suggesting that there may be a risk of suicide and other related firearm violence
Differential and persistent risk of excess mortality from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico: a time-series analysis
Summary: Background: Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico on Sept 20, 2017, devastating the island. Controversy surrounded the official death toll, fuelled by estimates of excess mortality from academics and investigative journalists. We analysed all-cause excess mortality following the storm. Methods: We did a time-series analysis in Puerto Rico from September, 2017, to February, 2018. Mortality data were from the Puerto Rico Vital Statistics System. We developed two counterfactual scenarios to establish the population at risk. In the first scenario, the island's population was assumed to track the most recent census estimates. In the second scenario, we accounted for the large-scale population displacement. Expected mortality was projected for each scenario through over-dispersed log-linear regression from July, 2010, to August, 2017, taking into account changing distributions of age, sex, and municipal socioeconomic development, as well as both long-term and seasonal trends in mortality. Excess mortality was calculated as the difference between observed and expected deaths. Findings: Between September, 2017, and February, 2018, we estimated that 1191 excess deaths (95% CI 836–1544) occurred under the census scenario. Under the preferred displacement scenario, we estimated that 2975 excess deaths (95% CI 2658–3290) occurred during the same observation period. The ratio of observed to expected mortality was highest for individuals living in municipalities with the lowest socioeconomic development (1·43, 95% CI 1·39–1·46), and for men aged 65 years or older (1·33, 95% CI 1·30–1·37). Excess risk persisted in these groups throughout the observation period. Interpretation: Analysis of all-cause mortality with vital registration data allows for unbiased estimation of the impact of disasters associated with natural hazards and is useful for public health surveillance. It does not depend on certified cause of death, the basis for the official death toll in Puerto Rico. Although all sectors of Puerto Rican society were affected, recovery varied by municipal socioeconomic development and age groups. This finding calls for equitable disaster preparedness and response to protect vulnerable populations in disasters. Funding: Forensic Science Bureau, Department of Public Safety, and Milken Institute School of Public Health of The George Washington University (Washington, DC, USA)