In the U.S., two of the main causes of preventable deaths are smoking and firearms. According to 2021 data, smoking led to 480,000 deaths, and over 40,000 deaths were related to firearms.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine maps out which parts of the U.S. have the highest death rates due to these two factors.
The results are surprising: the Southeastern U.S. stands out for having significantly higher rates of deaths from smoking, gun-related assaults, and gun-related suicides than the rest of the nation.
Why This Matters: Dangerous Trends Over 20 Years
The research team looked at data from 1999 to 2019 and found some alarming trends. During this period, deaths from gun-related assaults and suicides increased by 16% nationwide.
In the Southeast, the rate rose even more, by 25%. Although smoking-related deaths have dropped over the years, the Southeast still has areas where the numbers remain high.
These “hot spots” also include the West and Alaska.
The study identified 14 states where these problems are particularly acute, including Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina.
In contrast, in the Western U.S., the hot spots only related to gun-related suicides, not smoking or assaults.
Digging Deeper: Specific Findings
Here’s a more detailed look at what the study discovered about these hot spots in various time periods:
1999 to 2005: The Southeast had the most smoking-related deaths, stretching up to the Appalachian area.
For gun-related assaults, the highest rates were again in the Southeast. For gun-related suicides, the Southeast, the West, and Alaska were the most affected.
2006 to 2012: Little change was seen from the previous period. The Southeast remained the area with the most smoking-related deaths and gun-related assaults. For suicides, the Southeast and the West were still the most impacted areas.
2013 to 2019: A similar pattern emerged, with the Southeast continuing to have the highest rates in all three categories. The area saw some expansion in this period, but the overall trends remained largely the same.
What’s Next: Addressing the Issue
According to the researchers, this study is a crucial resource for healthcare providers and policymakers, especially in high-risk areas.
Knowing where these hot spots are can help target preventative measures and resources more effectively.
Future efforts could include stricter tobacco and firearm regulations, mental health initiatives, and educational programs tailored to these high-risk regions.
This study provides a comprehensive picture of where the most severe public health challenges related to smoking and firearm deaths are concentrated.
It is an essential tool for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact on reducing preventable deaths in the U.S.
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The study was published in Preventive Medicine.
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