CHA Joins Gun Violence Prevention Initiative to Curb Impact of Firearm Injuries and Deaths on Youth

Washington, D.C. – For three consecutive years, firearm injuries have been the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 17 in the United States. Earlier this week, the Ad Council, in partnership with Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) and a coalition of health care and business leaders announced a major new social impact program to address the gun violence crisis facing youth in our country. As the first national cross-sector youth gun violence prevention campaign bringing together health care and business, the new initiative provides people with tangible actions that can help decrease the impact of gun related tragedies on children and teens in the United States.

While many may believe that gun violence is a divisive topic with limited opportunity for alignment on solutions, research shows common ground exists, especially around the impact of firearm injury on children and teens. This first-of-its-kind effort, “Agree to Agree,” comprehensively addresses the issue by building on shared beliefs to address the full spectrum of the impact of gun violence on children and teens in the United States, inclusive of firearm suicides, intentional and unintentional shootings. By convening partners across the advertising, business, health care, marketing, media and tech industries, the coalition led by the Ad Council aims to create meaningful change, complementing the longstanding efforts of CHA on the issue.

“Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. Seven children die every day in the U.S. from gun-related injuries. Even one is far too many,” said Matthew Cook, president and CEO of CHA. “Children’s hospitals are on the frontlines of the public health crisis of gun violence, which means they are uniquely suited to help end it. Just as they have reduced harm to children by leading efforts to increase seat belt usage, safe sleep practices, and pool safety, children’s hospitals are increasing their efforts to educate families about gun violence prevention. Hospitals and clinicians have the tools to help stop preventable gun deaths, and we are proud to partner with them to keep children safe.”

The "Agree to Agree” campaign is based in the common ground Americans share, raising awareness of the fact that everyone — both gun owners and non-gun owners — can agree that firearms shouldn’t be the leading cause of death for children and teens in this country. The series of PSAs include one for parents and those with children and youth in their lives, showcasing real kids uniting to help adults recognize that children and teens should be protected from firearm violence. The PSA directs viewers to the "Agree to Agree" campaign website where individuals can learn about gun violence and how they can take action in their homes and communities to prevent firearm injury and death. Another PSA in the series features health care professionals speaking directly to other clinicians on the unique role they hold to help prevent firearm injuries through collaborative conversations with their patients. The video instructs health care professionals to visit the "Agree to Agree" website for resources on how to have supportive gun violence prevention dialogue with families.

For more information on the “Agree to Agree” effort and to access resources such as conversation guides and shareable graphics that educate and empower audiences to take individual steps to protect communities and children, visit AgreeToAgree.org.