iStock/ThinkstockBy DR. JENNIFER ASHTON, ABC News Senior Medical Contributor
The American Academy of Pediatrics has advised pediatricians for years to talk to families about firearm safety in the home. But a new study suggests most doctors don’t bring up the subject.
Though most parents were open to discussions about gun safety with their pediatricians, approximately a third of parents said they didn’t want to be asked whether they had a gun and would ignore or even take offense to advice to remove guns from the house.
In 2013, more than 6,000 children were hospitalized due to firearm-related incidents, and over 2,400 died.
Gun control does have medical and physical angles. So healthcare providers should ask about it to help keep kids safe and informed.
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