Research
Publication
Analysis of daily ambient temperature and firearm violence in 100 US cities.
Publication Year: 2022
Authors: Lyons, Vivian H., Gause, Emma L., Spangler, Keith R., Wellenius, Gregory A., & Jay, Jonathan
Publication Title: JAMA Network Open
Volume: 5
Issue Number: 12
Page(s): e2247207
Link to Publication: View publication
Abstract: Importance: Firearm violence is a leading public health crisis in the US. Understanding whether and how ambient temperature is associated with firearm violence may identify new avenues for prevention and intervention. Objective: To estimate the overall and regional association between hotter temperatures and higher risk of firearm violence in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used distributed lag nonlinear models, controlling for seasonality and long-term time trends by city and pooled results overall and by climate region. The most populous cities in the US with the highest number of assault-related firearm incidence (ie, shootings) from 2015 to 2020 were analyzed. Data analysis was performed from October 2021 to June 2022. Exposures: Maximum daily temperature by city. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the number of assault-related firearm shootings by city.