Research by Tarang Parekh, an assistant professor of epidemiology, reveals that social determinants of health (SDOH) such as financial hardship and housing insecurity are closely linked to unsafe firearm storage practices in the U.S. The study analyzed responses from over 63,000 adults across five states, finding that unsafe storage is more common in lower-income and non-Hispanic Black households, contrasting with higher rates of gun ownership among wealthier, non-Hispanic white households.
Parekh emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of the systemic factors influencing firearm ownership and storage behavior, rather than attributing these issues solely to individual mental health. He notes the significance of Child-Access Prevention laws in states like California, which correlate with safer gun storage practices. As gun ownership rises—particularly among minority populations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic—Parekh advocates for community-based education and improved social conditions to address the underlying causes of gun ownership and safety.
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