The Maryland Department of Health has launched a new data dashboard designed to track gun violence across the state, which state officials describe as a crucial tool for prevention. The dashboard systematically categorizes incidents, including homicides, suicides, and nonfatal injuries, while offering a detailed county and ZIP code breakdown of gun-related occurrences.
Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani highlighted the personal impact of gun violence, emphasizing the real lives affected by these statistics. In 2024 alone, the dashboard indicates there were 671 firearm-related deaths in Maryland, revealing that 55% were homicides and 44% were suicides. Despite the complexities surrounding the issue, state officials are optimistic that the new data will guide effective prevention strategies.
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