THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 5, 1996 TAG: 9608020008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 29 lines
``Confine CDC studies to health issues'' (letter, July 25) stated that the CDC's research into ways to prevent deaths and injuries resulting from youth violence, family disputes and suicides is not a proper function for the Centers For Disease Control and that it is a waste of taxpayers' money. On the contrary, it most assuredly is a health-care issue.
The deaths and injuries caused by firearms every day, every month and every year result in medical costs far exceeding the amount the CDC allocates for its research. Shootings are the second leading cause of death among white teenagers and the leading cause of death among black teens. Every day in America, 15 children are killed by gunfire; there are an estimated 100,000 additional nonfatal shootings every year. Together, these tragedies put a tremendous burden on the nation's already beleaguered health-care system.
The letter writer states that he does not want his tax dollars squandered on such research. He does not realize that the cost of health care and health insurance, which is rising every year, includes the cost of caring for the victims of firearm tragedies.
Anything done to reduce the deaths resulting from firearms should be supported vigorously.
ALAN L. BOBBE
Newport News, July 26, 1996 by CNB