Support Gun Violence Prevention for #HealthyCommunities

Posted & filed under Fluoride and Public Health, Partners in Fluoride.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is committed to programs and policies that improve the lives of children and families so they can achieve their full potential.¹ The Campaign for Dental Health, a program of the AAP, promotes community water fluoridation because it reduces dental decay by about 25% compared to non-fluoridated communities.

What, you may be wondering, does that have to do with preventing gun violence? In order to be healthy, children need healthy teeth and violence-free communities and, of course, much, much more. We stand with efforts everywhere that help grow #HealthyCommunities.

You can support firearms violence prevention and safety during two AAP-backed campaigns taking place in June.

1) Wear Orange is part of National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Friday, June 2. The campaign focuses on honoring the lives and lost human potential of Americans killed by gun violence; doing all we can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands; and being responsible gun owners to keep children safe. Everyone is encouraged to take the pledge of support at WearOrange.com. On social media, use #WearOrange to spread messages about gun violence prevention and retweet messages from @AAPNews, @AmerAcadPeds and @HealthyChildren.

2) Asking Saves Kids (ASK) Day takes place on June 21 and enlists pediatricians. This campaign prompts pediatricians to remind families why they should ask if there are guns in homes where their children play. On ASK Day, June 21, pediatricians can participate via social media by using #AskingSavesKids.

For both campaigns, the AAP offers tips on how pediatricians can advocate for firearm safety in their communities.

See you on June 2 sporting your best in orange, and don’t forget to have a glass of water with fluoride!

 

 

¹ American Academy of Pediatrics. Blueprint for Children: How the Next President Can Build a Foundation for a Healthy Future. 2016. Available at: https://www.aap.org/en-us/Documents/BluePrintForChildren.pdf. Accessed May 30, 2017.