AOTA's Societal Statement on Community Violence

Community violence, or violence between two unrelated individuals, includes assaults, fights, and gun violence. In the United States, community violence is associated with more than 1 million hospitalizations and nearly 20,000 deaths annually. Young adults (15–34 years) are the most affected group, experiencing more than half of all homicides. In 2019, 1.5 million people were treated for assault in emergency rooms in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).