Student and Teacher attitudes toward a school-based firearm injury prevention presentation in washington state
Nevin C. Kalaf, Michelle L. Wang, Katrina Dank, Waleed Gharib, Ryan K. Thomas, Indi Trehan, and Gregory Engel, MD, MPH.
Journal of School Health
During 2024–2025, medical students and physicians delivered 55-min firearm injury prevention presentations in western Washington public high schools. Post-presentation surveys measured knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions, with grade-matched peers serving as a comparison group. Teachers of participating classes were surveyed for feedback.
Findings demonstrate the feasibility of integrating school-based firearm injury prevention education into health curriculum.
High school students and teachers acknowledge the significance of firearm injury and find this content acceptable for inclusion in high school health curriculum. Schools represent an effective and equitable yet underused platform for teaching youth about firearm risks.