Gun violence can have long-lasting effects on mental health, employment, economic well-being and housing, according to a new spotlight from Common Ground Health.
The spotlight, The Community Impact of Gun Violence in Rochester, brings attention to how gun violence can traumatize individuals and families, resulting in emotional and mental health issues. It also shows how gun violence can disrupt employment and harm economic well-being, as victims may lose income or jobs as they recover. Victims may want to move, as bullet holes serve as a constant reminder of the traumatic event, but they are unable to due to limited housing options or economic constraints.
“Gun violence not only causes senseless deaths and physical injuries, but it also has far-reaching impacts on individuals, families and neighborhoods,” said Wade Norwood, co-CEO, Common Ground Health. “Now is the time to address this crisis.”
The spotlight also found:
- Roughly 70 percent of gun violence victims in Rochester are Black males.
- The number of reported shootings has dropped significantly from a high of 419 in 2021 down to 205 in 2024.
- Since 2020, the percent of shooting victims in the city of Rochester who are older than 30 years old has increased substantially, from 31% to 42%.
- The shift to older victims has created new problems with service delivery, as most local hospital-based victim interventions exclude people older than 30 and focus on 16- to 24-year-olds.
Addressing the contributing factors
The spotlight identifies the need for a more systematic approach to addressing gun violence as a public health issue by developing and funding prevention strategies and policies. Rather than framing gun violence as a criminality issue, the crisis should be viewed through a public health lens, to address the contributing factors that lead to higher rates of gun violence.
A review of available literature identified two categories of contributing factors linked to gun violence: 1) adverse community environment, including poverty, discrimination and violence; and 2) adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, homelessness and exposure to substance use.
Common Ground Health began working on this spotlight soon after the Maplewood Park shooting on July 28, 2024, in support of the Gun Violence Reduction subcommittee of the African American and Latino health coalitions, which it convenes.
Data for the spotlight were compiled on local gun violence victims and neighborhoods experiencing gun violence, and interviews were conducted with local peace advocates about their work with Rochester’s gun violence victims.
To view and download the spotlight, go to commongroundhealth.org/gunviolence
