The Medical Costs of Firearm Injuries in the United States: A Systematic Review
Authors: Taylor Miller, Jessica Downing, Lauren Wheeler, Kyle Fischer
Published in: Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2023 August 27
Conclusions:
- The review found extensive literature on the medical costs of firearm injury, highlighting a diverse and significant economic burden.
- Much of the cost burden occurs post-initial hospitalization, which most studies do not report.
- Limitations include a reporting bias toward hospitalized patients and a focus on hospital charges as a proxy for costs.
Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies published between January 1, 2000, and July 13, 2022, reporting on the medical costs of firearm injuries.
- Databases searched: Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library.
- National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool used for bias assessment.
- Analysis focused on healthcare-related charges and costs per firearm injury, identifying trends.
Results:
- 64 studies included, with sample sizes ranging from 18 to 868,483 patients.
- Costs per injury varied significantly, from $261 to $529,609.
- Median reported cost: $27,820 (interquartile range [IQR] $15,133-$40,124).
- Median reported charge: $53,832 (IQR $38,890-$98,632).
- Initial hospitalization accounted for about 60% of total costs, as identified in studies separating initial and follow-up medical costs.