CMA2 - School Gun Violence: A Roadmap for School-Based Health Centers to Address the Growing Crisis

Session Description: Gun violence disproportionately affects populations served by health centers, and is a pressing social driver of health. School gun violence specifically is a major challenge for the 3,900 school-based health center (SBHC) sites located across the U.S., most of which are sponsored by HRSA-supported health centers. School gun violence has exponentially increased over the past two decades, with over 383,000 students experiencing 417 school shootings since 1999. In 2023, 25% of public school teachers experienced a gun-related emergency lockdown. Exposure to school gun violence traumatizes students and communities; decreases students’ ability to learn; and is associated with lower employment rates and decreased earning potential later in life. Additionally, 95% of public schools regularly hold “active shooter drills,” which are associated with increased student depression, stress, and anxiety.
SBHCs are uniquely positioned to address gun violence and its negative socioemotional impacts through efforts including screening for and treating stress and trauma, delivering trauma-informed care, and promoting positive mental outcomes. This school year, approximately 12 Community Health Center, Inc.-affiliated SBHCs were forced to close due to gun violence, traumatizing both students and teachers. This panel will use first-hand experience as a case study in proactively addressing gun violence through enhanced care coordination and training, developing standardized procedures, increasing staff access to employee assistance programs, and anti-violence community partnerships. Panelists will also share actionable policy-level insights, including improving data collection for state and local advocacy efforts and amplifying SBHC/school staff and youth voices via op-eds and youth-focused projects.