Health Care Claims for Firearm Injuries in Colorado on the Rise

Key Findings in 2022:

• In 2022 there were over 7,000 firearm-related claims resulting in $8.4M in health care costs.
• Unintentional injuries (e.g., accidental discharges) accounted for the vast majority (72%) of claims while injuries from assaults made up the majority of the remaining claims (17%).

Demographic Data and Trends (2016-2022)

Adults vs. Children/Youth:

• • Adults had the majority (88%) of firearm injury claims.
  • For children and youth, the rate of firearm injuries increased across all categories (120%), with claims for unintentional (143%) and undetermined (111%) injuries increasing the most.

Men vs. Women:

• Men had significantly more firearm injury claims than women, with rates three times higher for all injury types, four times higher for unintentional injuries, three times higher for assault, and two-and-a-half times higher for self-harm.
• The rate of firearm injuries increased across nearly all types for both males and females with the largest percent increase being for females with undetermined intent (233%) followed by assault (60%).

Rural vs. Urban:

• Rural areas consistently had higher rates of self-harm and assault related injuries, with spikes in self-harm related claims in 2021 that were 25 times the rate of urban counties. In 2020, assault-related claims reached a peak for rural communities with rates three times urban communities.
• Rural counties had 25% higher costs per claims to treat firearm injuries than urban communities.

By Payer Type:

• Medicaid recipients experienced higher rates of firearm injuries than people with other types of insurance, with rates 12.5 times more than those with commercial insurance.

“This analysis highlights a concerning trend in firearm-related injuries across Colorado,” said Kristin Paulson, President and CEO at CIVHC. “These results demonstrate the critical need for continued focus on comprehensive public health, education, and community-tailored initiatives aimed at addressing and preventing firearm violence, particularly violence involving  children, who are seeing a marked rise in firearm-related injuries.”

Data in this recent analysis can be used to understand the public health impact of firearm-related violence and shape effective prevention strategies. Policy makers, non-profits, communities, and others can harness this information in conjunction with other firearm data available in Colorado to measure the impact of work currently being done to address firearm violence and deaths.

Important notes to consider when viewing the results of this analysis:

• The CO APCD data does not contain death record information. Health care services to treat firearm injuries in this analysis may or may not have resulted in a death.
• Data in this analysis does not include firearm injuries that did not result in a health care visit, was not paid for through a claim, or ended in immediate death.

Visit our website to explore the analysis and view the Firearm Injury Infographic and download the associated Excel Data.

If you or someone you know needs immediate support or are having suicidal thoughts, contact the Colorado Crisis and Support Line: Call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text “TALK” to 38255.

To learn about some of the ongoing efforts to reduce firearm violence in Colorado, click on the resources below:

• Colorado Ceasefire
• CDPHE Office of Gun Violence Prevention
• Let’s Talk Guns Colorado
• CU Anschutz Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative