Science of Firearm Injury Prevention Among Children & Teens from Coursera

Firearm injuries are a leading cause of death among children and teens. However, there are many ways that these injuries and deaths can be prevented using evidence-based practices and policies.

Presented by the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention and the Firearm Safety among Children and Teens (FACTS) Consortium, this course lays a broad foundation for understanding the science of pediatric firearm injury prevention and the latest research and evidence-based solution. This course covers a range of firearm injury topics including firearm-related suicide, unintentional firearm injury, firearm-related community and youth violence, firearm-related intimate partner violence, school and mass shootings, and officer-involved shootings. Through lectures and interviews from leading firearm injury researchers, and activities, readings, discussion boards, and quizzes, learners can become familiar with the epidemiology, prevention strategies, and policy efforts related to pediatric firearm injury prevention. The course also covers important gaps in existing research and future directions for expanding the knowledge base of the field.

This course is designed for multiple fields and levels of training, including students and researchers from public health, medicine, public policy, social work, nursing, criminology, sociology and psychology fields. The course is also appropriate for practitioners, educators and parents. As a learner, you will have the ability to select all modules or individual topics that interest you most. Composed of 7 modules, this course may be taken from the comfort of your home or office, and you can learn at your own pace.

Supported by a grant to the University of Michigan by the National Institutes of Health - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH/NICHD) (Award Number: R24HD087149) and the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention. The content is solely the responsibility of the contributors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH/NICHD) or the Department of Health and Human Services.

What's inside

Syllabus

Overview of Child and Adolescent Firearm Injury

Firearm-Related Suicide

Unintentional Injury

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Comprehensive coverage of pediatric firearm injury prevention, including epidemiology, prevention strategies, and policy efforts

Led by renowned firearm injury researchers from the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention

Suitable for professionals, educators, and parents seeking to understand and prevent firearm injuries among children and teens

Presents evidence-based practices and policies to prevent firearm-related suicide, unintentional injury, and community violence

Modular format allows learners to customize their learning experience by selecting specific topics of interest

Reviews summary

Science of firearm injury prevention among children & teens

According to learners, this course on firearm injury prevention is a highly comprehensive and evidence-based resource, particularly valued by public health professionals and educators. Students highlight its clear lectures, invaluable expert interviews, and well-organized, self-paced structure. The course's ability to cover a broad range of topics, from suicide to community violence, is frequently praised, making it directly applicable for many. However, some researchers found it too introductory, desiring more in-depth statistical analysis, and one parent sought more practical home safety advice over academic content.

Well-organized modules with clear lectures and expert interviews.

"The lectures were clear, and the interviews with experts were invaluable."

"The content was well-organized into modules, making it easy to follow at my own pace."

"The instructors presented complex data in an understandable way, and the course content felt very current."

Highly relevant for public health, policy, and social work fields.

"As a public health professional, I found this directly applicable to my work."

"Outstanding. This course is essential for anyone working with youth or in public policy."

"I'm a social worker and found it helpful to get a broader perspective."

Provides a broad, fact-driven overview of firearm injury prevention.

"Incredibly well-researched and presented. The focus on evidence is key. It's not just theory..."

"This course provided an incredibly comprehensive and evidence-based overview of firearm injury prevention."

"It's truly comprehensive, covering all angles of firearm injury prevention in a sensitive yet factual manner."

Could benefit from more interactive activities and active discussion boards.

"I wished for more interactive activities beyond quizzes."

"I felt the discussion boards could have been more active..."

"some of the readings were a bit dense"

Less emphasis on practical home safety tips for parents.

"As a concerned parent, I was looking for more practical, actionable advice for home safety rather than epidemiological data and policy discussions."

"It felt more geared towards researchers."

May be too basic for advanced researchers seeking deep statistical analysis.

"As a researcher, I was hoping for more in-depth statistical analysis or discussion of methodological challenges..."

"It's a good foundation, but perhaps too introductory for those already familiar with public health research methods."

"Some areas could be more detailed, but it serves as a strong introduction to the multifaceted issues involved."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Science of Firearm Injury Prevention Among Children & Teens with these activities:

Review Your Basic Biology

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Review your basic knowledge of biology, including basic cell structure, metabolism, genetics, and human body systems, to refresh your knowledge and ensure you have a solid foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Cell Biology

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Read your old biology textbook chapters or notes.
Take practice quizzes or review questions to test your understanding.
Watch educational videos or documentaries on basic biology topics.

Join a Study Group on Firearm Injury Prevention

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Join a study group with classmates or colleagues to discuss course materials, work on assignments together, and quiz each other on key concepts related to firearm injury prevention.

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Find or form a study group with classmates or colleagues.
Meet regularly to discuss course materials and work on assignments.
Quiz each other on key concepts to test your understanding.

Practice Identifying Firearm Injury Risk Factors

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Use online quizzes or case studies to practice identifying risk factors for firearm injury, including individual, family, and community-level factors.

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Take online quizzes or practice questions.
Review case studies to identify risk factors.
Discuss risk factors with classmates or colleagues.

Five other activities

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Read 'The Oxford Handbook of Firearm Violence'

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Read this comprehensive text on firearm violence to understand the causes and consequences of this major public health issue, including firearm injury, death, and violence prevention.

View The Gun Debate: What Everyone Needs to Know® on Amazon

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Read one chapter per week and take notes on key points.
Write a summary of each chapter to reinforce your understanding.
Discuss the book with classmates or colleagues to exchange perspectives.

Volunteer as a Peer Mentor for New Students

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Volunteer your time to mentor new students taking this course or related courses, providing them with support, guidance, and encouragement as they learn about firearm injury prevention.

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Contact your instructor or department to express your interest in volunteering as a mentor.
Meet with new students and provide them with support and guidance.
Answer their questions and help them understand course materials.
Encourage them to participate in class and study groups.

Identify a Research Mentor in Firearm Injury Prevention

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Identify a research mentor in the field of firearm injury prevention who can provide you with guidance and support as you develop your research interests and skills in this area.

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Research potential mentors and their work.
Contact potential mentors and express your interest in working with them.
Meet with potential mentors to discuss your research interests and goals.
Select a mentor and develop a plan for working together.

Attend a Workshop on Firearm Injury Prevention

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Attend a workshop or training session on firearm injury prevention to learn about best practices and research findings from experts in the field.

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Research and identify relevant workshops or training sessions.
Register for the workshop or training session.
Attend the workshop or training session and take notes.
Follow up with the workshop or training session organizers or presenters to ask questions or learn more.

Create a Database of Firearm Injury Statistics

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Compile data on firearm injuries from various sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), to create a comprehensive database for your own use and potential use by others.

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Identify relevant data sources.
Extract and clean the data.
Organize the data into a database.
Document your data sources and methods.

Career center

Learners who complete Science of Firearm Injury Prevention Among Children & Teens will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events, including the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of diseases. They design and conduct studies to investigate the causes and risk factors of diseases and injuries, and develop strategies for preventing and controlling them. This course provides a strong foundation in the epidemiology of firearm injuries, including the incidence, prevalence, and risk factors for firearm-related suicide, unintentional firearm injury, firearm-related community and youth violence, firearm-related intimate partner violence, school and mass shootings, and officer-involved shootings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Public Health Researcher

Public health researchers conduct research to improve the health of communities and populations. They study the causes and risk factors of diseases and injuries, and develop and evaluate strategies for preventing and controlling them. This course provides a strong foundation in the science of firearm injury prevention, including the latest research and evidence-based solutions for preventing firearm-related injuries and deaths among children and teens.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Researcher

Policy Analyst

Policy analysts research and analyze public policy issues, and make recommendations for policy changes. They work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, think tanks, and advocacy organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in the policy efforts related to pediatric firearm injury prevention, including the latest research on the effectiveness of different policy interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Firearm Injury Prevention Specialist

Firearm injury prevention specialists work to prevent firearm-related injuries and deaths. They work in a variety of settings, including public health agencies, hospitals, and community organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in the science and practice of firearm injury prevention, including the latest research on the effectiveness of different prevention strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Firearm Injury Prevention Specialist

Child Abuse Prevention Specialist

Child abuse prevention specialists work to prevent child abuse and neglect. They work in a variety of settings, including social service agencies, schools, and community organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in the science and practice of child abuse prevention, including the latest research on the effectiveness of different prevention strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Child Abuse Prevention Specialist

School Counselor

School counselors provide counseling and support to students in schools. They help students with a variety of issues, including academic, social, and emotional problems. This course may be helpful to school counselors who want to learn more about the science of firearm injury prevention and how to help students stay safe from firearm-related injuries.

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School Psychologist

School psychologists provide psychological services to students in schools. They help students with a variety of issues, including academic, social, and emotional problems. This course may be helpful to school psychologists who want to learn more about the science of firearm injury prevention and how to help students stay safe from firearm-related injuries.

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Social Worker

Social workers provide support and services to individuals, families, and communities. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and community organizations. This course may be helpful to social workers who want to learn more about the science of firearm injury prevention and how to help clients stay safe from firearm-related injuries.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. This course may be helpful to nurses who want to learn more about the science of firearm injury prevention and how to help patients stay safe from firearm-related injuries.

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Physician

Physicians provide medical care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. This course may be helpful to physicians who want to learn more about the science of firearm injury prevention and how to help patients stay safe from firearm-related injuries.

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Criminologist

Criminologists study the causes and prevention of crime. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, law enforcement, and government agencies. This course may be helpful to criminologists who want to learn more about the science of firearm injury prevention and how to reduce firearm-related violence.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study the social behavior of humans. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. This course may be helpful to sociologists who want to learn more about the science of firearm injury prevention and how to address the social factors that contribute to firearm-related violence.

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Psychologist

Psychologists study the mind and behavior. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, private practice, and hospitals. This course may be helpful to psychologists who want to learn more about the science of firearm injury prevention and how to help individuals and families cope with the aftermath of firearm-related violence.

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Law Enforcement Officer

Law enforcement officers enforce the law and protect the public. This course may be helpful to law enforcement officers who want to learn more about the science of firearm injury prevention and how to reduce firearm-related violence in their communities.

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Firefighter

Firefighters extinguish fires and rescue people from burning buildings. This course may be helpful to firefighters who want to learn more about the science of firearm injury prevention and how to prevent and respond to firearm-related incidents.

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