Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente will fund three clinical research studies related to firearm injury research, the healthcare giant announced June 20.
The 24-month studies are part of Kaiser's commitment to invest $2 million toward gun injury research reported in 2018.
The issue of how clinicians can help prevent suicide, intimate partner violence, accidents and other firearm injuries is at the center of the studies, Kaiser Permanente said in a news release.
Kaiser said one study — led by Kaiser Permanente Colorado Institute for Health Research — will analyze a web-based education tool for safe gun storage in patients at risk of suicide.
Another will be carried out by the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research & Evaluation and focus on risk factors of injuries related to gun violence and death among adults and children.
A third study will focus on integration of firearm suicide-prevention tools in healthcare facilities and be directed by the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute.
"We believe that safety is integral to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. People need to be safe in the places where they live, work, learn and play," said Bernard J. Tyson, chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente, in a news release. "We know that firearm injury is a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and we can leverage our research capabilities, combined with our deep clinical experience, to help tackle this issue."
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