Nearly 60% of Black Americans Have Been Exposed To Direct Or Indirect Firearm Violence

Among Black Americans, nearly 60% have been directly or indirectly exposed to firearm violence, and a significant percentage of them later have difficulties with activities of daily living due to injuries or psychological distress caused by the exposure. About 41% had a friend or family member who had been shot; about 38% had witnessed or heard about a shooting in their community. The most common functional difficulties were problems concentrating, which affected 16%; and mobility problems walking, which affected 12%.

Men who witnessed or heard about shootings had a 53% greater rate of functional disability than men who reported no . . .