A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Surgery on Wednesday suggests that structural racism could be a factor in mass shootings.
Researchers at Tulane University analyzed the Gun Violence Archive data of nearly 900 mass shootings that occurred in 52 metro areas between 2015 and 2019 According to the Gun Violence Archive, MSEs are defined as any shooting resulting in four or more deaths, excluding the perpetrator.
The study found that US cities with higher Black populations are more susceptible to MSEs. This study suggests that structural racism may be a factor in the incidence of MSEs.
The study defines structural racism as “the normalized and legitimized range of policies and practices that regularly produces cumulative and chronic negative results for people of color.” The study used measures like the Black-White Segregation Index and Black population percentage.
The study concluded that “Mass shootings in major US metros are disproportionately Black” and “Structural Racism seems to be associated with MSE incidence.” The study did not examine the perpetrators, but only briefly mentioned mass public shooters in a paragraph about gun laws.
A study by Jewett et al. analyzed 104 mass killings they defined as involving at least four deaths. It was found that most crimes were committed primarily by white perpetrators. Only 19% of the crimes were committed primarily by black perpetrators. Although these data are valuable, it is difficult to interpret them because not all cases are resolved or the perpetrators identified.
In response to an article comment, Dr. Kimberly B. Golish of Northwestern University Feinberg Medical School along with Dr. Leah C. Tatebe of Northwestern University Department of Surgery stated that the research might help surgeons overcome the “influence” of race when treating gun violence.
They wrote: “It’s crucial to eliminate these deadly disparities and to combat structural racism at gun violence on a large scale. “We need to use the strengths of our multidisciplinary team and provide support and resources for those affected by gun violence.
According to FBI statistics, the majority of homicides that involve Black victims were committed by Black perpetrators in 2019.
“Counter-Narrating attacks on Critical Race Theory” was a section of the AMA’s 2021 guide, “Advancing Health Equity”.
By 2023, the AMA was under more criticism after critics claimed that BMI scales were “imperfect,” problematic,” and used to “racistly exclude.”
