FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 9, 2021
Recent mass shootings have tragically highlighted that gun violence remains a significant issue in the U.S. The American Academy of Family Physicians welcomes the actions announced by the Biden-Harris administration to address gun violence. We are particularly pleased to see investment being made in evidence-based community violence interventions.
We have long believed, just as the administration stated, that gun violence is a public health epidemic. Our position paper on the Prevention of Gun Violence, outlines opportunities and policy that the AAFP feels can help address this epidemic; we encourage the Biden-Harris administration and Justice Department to consider these recommendations as they determine additional actions to curb gun violence.
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with an AAFP spokesperson, contact Jennifer Schuler, 800-274-2237, Ext. 6255, or JSchuler@aafp.org.
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About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.