Milwaukee Program Expands to Stop Gun Violence Before It Starts

Doctors in Milwaukee just discovered a surprising pattern that could help prevent gun violence before it happens.

Researchers at Children's Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin studied over 2,600 emergency visits involving kids and teens from 2018 to 2022. They found something unexpected: young people treated for car crash injuries were significantly more likely to suffer firearm injuries later on.

The discovery gives violence prevention workers a crucial early warning sign. Nearly one in four patients treated for gunshot wounds had previously visited the emergency department for crashes or other violent injuries.

Dr. Mike Levas, a pediatric emergency medicine professor who led the study, sees car crashes as a red flag for risky situations or behaviors in young people's lives. "If we don't have guardrails for them, then from a public health standpoint, we're not helping the situation," he said.

The findings aren't about blaming teens for poor choices. Dr. Deanna Behrens, a pediatric critical care physician, explained that traumatic events rarely happen alone. Risk-taking behavior, violence exposure, and injuries often cluster together during adolescence when brains are still developing decision-making skills.

Now Children's Wisconsin is turning research into action. The hospital runs Project Ujima, a program that wraps support around young shooting, stabbing, and assault victims and their entire families. They're considering expanding it to include car crash victims too.

"We are always talking about prevention, and early intervention is key to reducing injury and mortality," said Maria Beyer, community health evaluation manager at Children's Wisconsin. Reaching young people after a crash could prevent a shooting down the road.

The Ripple Effect

Project Ujima manager Brooke Cheaton says the program addresses more than physical injuries. Staff provide case management, mental health services, mentorship, and family support because violence profoundly changes entire households and communities.

Parents don't have to wait for formal programs to help their kids stay safe. Levas encourages opening communication lines and connecting children with trusted adults and mentors. "The more that the youth can get engaged with adults that are guiding them to make better choices, or learn how to stay out of risky situations, the better," he said.

Milwaukee's approach shows how one careful observation can create entirely new pathways to protecting young lives.