Firearm Injuries Catching Up To Motor Vehicle Crashes As Leading Cause Of Injury Death.

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WASHINGTON. D.C. -- Firearm injuries max soon exceed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of injury death in the United States it present trends continue, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Donna L. Shalala.

More Americans were killed by guns than died in motor vehicle crashes in six states and the District of Columbia in 1991, studies published by HI IS' Centers tor Disease Control and Prevention and released by Ms. Shalala disclosed.

By early in the next decade, or perhaps sooner. HHS said deaths from firearm injuries may exceed vehicle injury deaths nationwide. Firearm deaths include homicides, suicides and unintentional deaths.

Health care costs for all persons injured by firearms were an estimated $14.4 billion in 1985, the latest year for which figures are available, according to Charles Fallis, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Atlanta. Those costs included direct health care, rehabilitation and lost productivity. such as wages and earnings.

"We're working on an update." Mr. Fallis said.

The Washington-based Health Insurance Association of America does not collect statistics on health care costs of firearm injuries, said HIAA spokesman Richard Coorsh.

"It is appalling that in the world's strongest and wealthiest country, death by firearms is increasing at the alarming rate these studies find." said Ms. Shalala, "In our three largest stales, firearms are already the leading cause of injury-related death." she noted.

"And among young adults, aged 25-34. the crossover has occurred on a nationwide basis: firearms cause more...