Dementia and Firearm Safety

This one-hour webinar, which is part of the Hot Topics series, considers strategies for preventing firearm injury in older adults with cognitive impairments.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the major risks related to having firearms in the home.
• Identify the period of greatest risk for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and its related dementias regarding suicide.
• List and understand key policy and other pragmatic solutions being used to address firearm safety around the country.

Intended Audiences

Local, state, and tribal public health professionals; injury and violence prevention specialists; caregivers for older adults with cognitive impairments

Presenter

Laura Prater, PhD, MPH, MHA
Acting Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
University of Washington

Discussion Questions

1. What is a local government’s role in contributing to the policy landscape to protect communities from gun violence?
2. What are some of the most important factors to consider when designing firearm safety interventions?
3. What are some of the major risk factors for suicide and how can we identify people most at risk for harm? 

Resources

• Slides | Slide handout (3 slides per page)
• Three Interventions Toolkit
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Support

This webinar is supported by the Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center.

Continuing Education Credits

Up to 1 CPH recertification credit may be earned by viewing this webinar. Visit the National Board of Public Health Examiners to learn more.