Published 2024

Firearm Violence: A Public Health Crisis in America

Published February 1, 2024

UW Medicine

Threats or acts of violence toward minors were referenced in almost two out of three domestic violence protection orders (DVPO) issued in King County that involved minors, new research shows. In nearly one-fourth of those orders, the abusive person either owned or had access to a firearm.

“We know from prior research that people who threaten or harm their former or current partners often threaten and harm their children,” said lead author Alice Ellyson, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine and an investigator in its Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program. “Firearms add an extra level of danger and are involved in two-thirds of intimate partner violence-related child homicides.”

Published January 14, 2021

By Frederick P. Rivara, Ali Rowhani-Rahbar and Monica S. Vavilala, Special to The Seattle Times

We are all emotionally overwhelmed by the events of the last week, months and year. The scenes of the insurrection in our nation’s Capitol will haunt us for the rest of our lives. The pandemic breaks daily records in terms of numbers of cases, hospitalizations, ICU beds filled and Americans lost. The economic insecurity that millions of Americans face has fueled fear and poverty, and increased racial disparities stemming from racism in health and welfare. The fear of more acts of insurrection at the time of the upcoming inauguration are palpable and real. Locally, Gov. Jay Inslee has called out the National Guard to help protect the state Capitol as the Legislature starts back to work.

Published April 29, 2020

UW School of Public Health

The Department of Epidemiology is proud to share that the University of Washington (UW) Center for Teaching and Learning has named Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar as the 2020-21 UW Distinguished Teaching Award recipient.

Rowhani-Rahbar is an associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology, the Bartley Dobb Professor for Study and Prevention of Violence, the Violence Prevention Section Lead at the Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center (HIPRC), and co-director of HIPRC’s Firearm Injury Policy & Research Program.

Published January 28, 2020

By Brandon Macz, Madison Park Times

A recent rash of shootings in Seattle has city officials working on increasing downtown’s police presence and other efforts to increase safety.

Gun violence is not an issue unique to the city, nor are the underlying factors, but limited research makes it difficult to fully understand the disparities and social determinants that cause a person to pick up a firearm with intent to do harm.

Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, University of Washington Bartley Dobb Professor for the Study and Prevention of Violence, is currently in the middle of a study of geographic blocks in King County to make the connection between firearm injuries and death and poverty, racism, inequality and other health determinants.

Published January 28, 2020

By Frederick P. Rivara and Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, Special to The Seattle Times

Many of us in Seattle are suffering from midwinter blues. The holidays are behind us, the hours of daylight are short, and the rain seems incessant. The news from many parts of the world is at best depressing and in some places horrifying. What’s worse, none of these things seems to be in our direct control.

Last week, though, people living and working in Seattle came face-to-face with another problem — firearm violence. On Tuesday, a man was shot and killed at Westlake Center by an assailant with a gun.

Published January 9, 2020

By Jake Ellison, UW News

While waiting for free firearm storage devices at gun safety events held in sporting goods stores across Washington, nearly 3,000 people filled out a one-page survey asking how they stored guns at home and other household information.

What the participants reported emphasizes the need for these public events, Seattle Children’s and University of Washington researchers say, because 40% of gun owners at the events reported having at least one firearm in their home that was not locked up. In addition, 39% of survey takers indicated they kept a loaded gun at home, and 14% stored all guns unlocked and loaded.

Every 4 minutes in the United States, someone is injured or killed by a firearm. Our research helps policymakers and public health experts understand the patterns of violence and unintentional injury and who is most at risk. With better data, policymakers can take steps to save lives and reduce injuries.

Firearm violence affects Americans on a daily basis. A public health approach to studying it is imperative for reducing its heavy burden in our communities.

Published April 19, 2019

Op-Ed By Caitlin Moe and Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, The Seattle Times

School shootings are a public-health problem because they affect the health and well-being of communities and individuals. As epidemiologists, we investigate the patterns and determinants of disease and injury. We start by counting. In the U.S., we have comprehensive registries that enumerate cancer cases. We keep detailed track of motor vehicle injuries and fatalities. Why don’t we know the exact tally of how many school shootings there have been in the past 20 years?

Published May 13, 2019

By Ash Shah, The Daily

“We have a saying in violence prevention and control, and trauma healing: Hurt people hurt people." Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar

In 1993, a CDC study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that rather than conferring protection as many gun advocates suggest, “guns kept in the home are associated with an increase in the risk of homicide by a family member or intimate acquaintance.”