The East Bay Public Health System is sounding the alarm as gunshot wound incidents continue to rise.
OAKLAND, CA., September 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Highland Hospital in Alameda Health System received three victims of gun violence that erupted in Oakland Wednesday afternoon, September 28. The shooting occurred near the campus that houses the Bay Area Technology School, Rudsdale Continuation and Newcomer High Schools and the Sojourner Truth Independent Study School on the 8200 block of Fontaine Street. Two of the patients are in critical condition and one has been discharged from hospital.
Highland Hospital recorded approximately twice as many gunshot wounds (GSW) in 2022 and 2021 as in the previous two years. Highland Hospital Trauma Center reports the upward trend began with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to remain elevated this year.
“As a safety net healthcare provider in Alameda County charged with healing and serving all members of our community, it is our responsibility to sound the alarm. We are seeing a devastating increase in gun violence,” said james jacksonCEO of Alameda Health System.
Gun violence is a health inequity that disproportionately impacts low-income communities of color in Alameda County. The same regions that have the most GSW-related emergency department visits also have the highest rates of stroke, diabetes and heart disease.
Highland reported the following data representing the number of GSW victims treated in hospital over the past four years. These data do not represent all incidents of gun violence in Alameda Countyalthough Highland Hospital treated many injured.
Figure 1. Average number of GSW patients per month at Highland Hospital.
Year |
GSW |
2022 |
44/month, to date. |
2021 |
46 /month. |
2020 |
40 /month. |
2019 |
24/month. |
2018 |
23 /month. |
Figure 2. Total number of GSW patients per month and annual total at Highland Hospital.
Year |
JAN |
FEB |
TUE |
APR |
MAY |
JUNE |
JUL |
AUGUST |
SEP |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC |
TOTAL |
2022 |
37 |
33 |
42 |
54 |
40 |
41 |
44 |
48 |
63 |
To be determined |
To be determined |
To be determined |
To be determined |
2021 |
47 |
35 |
35 |
39 |
50 |
51 |
38 |
56 |
54 |
56 |
53 |
33 |
547 |
2020 |
18 |
27 |
24 |
35 |
35 |
41 |
46 |
46 |
49 |
57 |
49 |
51 |
478 |
2019 |
21 |
17 |
31 |
23 |
18 |
37 |
27 |
20 |
27 |
23 |
18 |
21 |
283 |
2018 |
19 |
18 |
24 |
19 |
18 |
25 |
30 |
22 |
29 |
33 |
27 |
14 |
278 |
“I am a son of Oakland. I grew up in Oakland“, said Jackson. “I call on all leaders in our community – myself included – to do more. On behalf of AHS, I am ready to step down and do this work.”
In addition to caring for the injured, AHS works to prevent gun violence. AHS works in partnership with external agencies and community organizations to provide gun violence prevention and response services. He recently launched Trauma Navigator, a pilot program that connects patients at high risk of gun violence with preventative resources and offers mental health services to victims of gun violence.
ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM (SSA) is a leading public healthcare provider dedicated to caring, healing, teaching and serving all. AHS is a refuge for the most vulnerable among us and an advocate for equitable, compassionate, and culturally appropriate care, regardless of social and financial barriers. AHS is at the forefront of medical excellence, with a teaching hospital that attracts the nation’s top medical students. As one of Alameda County Top 15 employers, AHS is a major economic powerhouse providing more than 5,100 jobs and contributing nearly $560 million annually in salaries, wages and benefits. AHS is also home to more than 760 physicians across the nine health system facilities. Since 1864, AHS has served the health care needs of East Bay. For more information, visit AlamedaHealthSystem.org.
CONTACT:
Eleanor Ajala
Media and Communications Manager
Alameda Health System
(510) 421-9222
[email protected]
Alameda Health System