Dr. Ajayi

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SUPER: Dr. Toluwalasé A. Ajayi Pediatrician, Palliative Care Physician & Researcher

DR. AJAYI: In pediatrics, talking about firearms and safe storage – things like that – it's just part of the medicine that we give. It isn’t about judging you or trying to change your lifestyle. It’s about, “How do we partner with you so that your family has the best outcome and everybody is safe and healthy and growing really well?”

At school, are you able to draw an “X”?

SUPER: Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death for children and teens Source: Gun Violence in the U.S. 2022, Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions

DR. AJAYI: Back in the early 2000s, motor vehicle crashes used to be the #1 cause of death in children and teens. And there is this huge advocacy campaign around that 

And are you still in a booster seat when you ride… 

We did a really good job about decreasing the rate of deaths caused by motor vehicle crashes. We can do the same around firearm injury prevention. 

So when I’m talking to new parents, I’ll talk about smoking in the house. I'll talk about water temperature. I’ll ask, “Are there any firearms in the house? When your baby goes home, how do we make sure they are safe?

And I want to make sure that it’s not about me coming in and telling them what to do. Somebody has told me “Yes, I have firearms in my home. It is a safety. I use it to protect my family.” And I will say “Great, I’m also here to protect your family, to make sure that your family stays safe. Can you tell me about where your firearm is located?”

I ask questions – “Oh, can you tell me more about that? How do you store your firearm?” – that way, I can actually provide advice that’s relevant to their lives and their homes. And it makes them feel safe and, again, heard. 

No one thinks it’s going to happen to them. No one wants it to happen to them.

It is part of our duty to give this good news so that they can be part of the solution to prevent firearm-related injuries.

SUPER: 84% of parents support healthcare systems playing a role in preventing and reducing gun violence Source: Northwell Health Gun Violence Prevention Issues & Creative Testing, July 2022

DR. AJAYI: Having this guidance is so important and it’s so much easier than giving bad news. It is so much easier than having to do trauma counseling and dealing with the aftermath.

Let’s not put ourselves in a position to have to break bad news. Let’s put ourselves in that position where we can have a conversation with our patients about how they can stay healthy and well.

Let’s agree to agree that we can all make a difference.

SUPER: AgreeToAgree.org/HealthCare

LOGOS: Agree to Agree, American Medical Association, and the Ad Council