Firearm homicide is identified as the second overall cause of death in which group?

• A. Boys aged 15 to 19 years
• B. Girls aged 15 to 19 years
• C. Children under 5 years
• D. Adults 25 to 34 years

Answer: (A)

In adolescent mortality, patterns shift toward violence-related causes, and among boys aged 15 to 19, firearm homicide stands out as the second leading cause of death. This means that after unintentional injuries, firearm-related homicide is the next most common way teens in this group lose their lives. The higher rate in this group compared with girls of the same age reflects differences in exposure to violence and access to firearms, as well as risk-taking and social factors that can heighten involvement in gun-related violence.

It’s helpful to place this in a broader context: for children under 5, deaths are more often from accidents, congenital conditions, or illness, not firearm homicide; for the adult group 25 to 34, different causes dominate mortality patterns. Understanding that firearm homicide is a leading risk for adolescent boys guides nursing focus on prevention—promoting safe firearm storage, violence prevention programs, conflict resolution skills, and screening for risk factors and access to weapons in teens and their families.