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Massachusetts Value:
Number of deaths among children ages 1-19 due to firearm injury of any intent (unintentional, suicide, homicide or undetermined) per 100,000 population
Massachusetts Rank:
Number of deaths among children ages 1-19 due to firearm injury of any intent (unintentional, suicide, homicide or undetermined) per 100,000 population
1.2 - 3.9
4.0 - 5.8
5.9 - 7.2
7.3 - 9.4
9.5 - 18.9
No Data
US Value: 5.9
Top State(s): Massachusetts: 1.2
Bottom State(s): Louisiana: 16.1
Definition: Number of deaths among children ages 1-19 due to firearm injury of any intent (unintentional, suicide, homicide or undetermined) per 100,000 population
Data Source and Years(s): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death by Single Race Files via CDC WONDER Online Database, 2021-2023
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Multiple Cause of Death by Single Race Files via CDC WONDER Online Database, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2026.
Firearm violence has become a public health problem in the United States. The U.S. is the only nation among its peers where firearm deaths are the leading cause of child mortality. Firearm-related deaths are not among the top five leading causes of death of children in any other peer country except for Canada, and the per capita firearm death rate for U.S. children is 9.5 times higher than Canada’s rate. Between 2019 and 2023, the rate of firearm-related deaths increased 46% among children and adolescents.
In addition to the direct physical harm caused by gun violence, exposure can negatively impact the health of children in other, indirect ways, such as reduced physical activity from wanting to spend less time outside. Youth survivors of firearm injuries are at increased risk of mental health and substance use issues, in addition to chronic physical health conditions.
The firearm death rate is higher among:
It is safest not to keep any guns in the home, but gun owners can take steps to improve household gun safety, like:
Communities can offer resources and support to help resolve conflicts before they escalate to gun violence. They can also partner with public health and public safety agencies to examine local trends in gun violence and develop tailored solutions. State-level policy recommendations include strengthening firearm legislation, particularly through background checks and permit laws.
Improving access to mental health resources can help prevent suicide. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support for people in distress 24/7, everywhere in the U.S. Their website offers additional forms of crisis support, and the previous National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number (1-800-273-TALK(8255)) is still active and usable.
Healthy People 2030 has several violence prevention objectives related to firearms, including:
Davis, Ari, Lisa Geller, Rose Kim, Silvia Villarreal, Alexander McCourt, Janel Cubbage, and Cassandra Crifasi. A Year in Review: 2020 Gun Deaths in the U.S. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, 2022. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/sites/default/files/2022-05/2020-gun-deaths-in-the-us-4-28-2022-b.pdf.
Lee, Lois K., Eric W. Fleegler, Caitlin Farrell, Elorm Avakame, Saranya Srinivasan, David Hemenway, and Michael C. Monuteaux. “Firearm Laws and Firearm Homicides: A Systematic Review.” JAMA Internal Medicine 177, no. 1 (January 1, 2017): 106. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.7051.
Martin, Rachel, Sonali Rajan, Faizah Shareef, Kristal C. Xie, Kalice A. Allen, Marc Zimmerman, and Jonathan Jay. “Racial Disparities in Child Exposure to Firearm Violence Before and During COVID-19.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 63, no. 2 (August 2022): 204–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2022.02.007.
Roberts, Bailey K., Colleen P. Nofi, Emma Cornell, Sandeep Kapoor, Laura Harrison, and Chethan Sathya. “Trends and Disparities in Firearm Deaths Among Children.” Pediatrics 152, no. 3 (September 1, 2023): e2023061296. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2023-061296.
Song, Zirui, José R. Zubizarreta, Mia Giuriato, Katherine A. Koh, and Chana A. Sacks. “Firearm Injuries In Children And Adolescents: Health And Economic Consequences Among Survivors And Family Members.” Health Affairs 42, no. 11 (November 1, 2023): 1541–50.https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00587.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.
