Firearm Injury Survivors Face Long-Term Health Challenges

Rutgers Health researchers work with community partners in Camden, N.J., to highlight patients’ chronic health needs and gaps in access to medical services

Survivors of firearm injuries often experience long-term physical and functional health challenges that extend beyond the initial trauma, according to Rutgers Health researchers.

Their study, published in the Journal of Urban Health, examined the physical health needs, health care access and barriers to care for firearm injury survivors. The work was done in collaboration with street outreach workers from Cure4Camden, a Camden, N.J., community-based violence intervention program.

“Survivors of firearm injury often face lasting pain, disability, and difficulties navigating the health care system long after the initial trauma,” said Daniel Semenza, director of research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at the Rutgers School of Public Health.

Survivors of firearm injury often face lasting pain, disability, and difficulties navigating the health care system long after the initial trauma.

Daniel Semenza

Director of Research, New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at the Rutgers School of Public Health

Using an approach that combined quantitative survey analysis and qualitative interviews, researchers surveyed 107 firearm injury survivors and conducted in-depth interviews with 15 survivors in partnership with Cure4Camden violence interrupters. Community violence prevention specialists collaborated throughout all stages of the research.

About two-thirds of survivors reported pain that prevented them from doing what they need to do at least a moderate amount, and 59% said they require a moderate to extreme amount of medical treatment to function daily. Functional disabilities were common, including cognitive difficulties (34%), vision difficulties (26%), ambulatory limitations (21%) and challenges with independent living (25%). 

Interviews further revealed disruptions to mobility, breathing capacity, work ability and personal autonomy as well as anxiety, hypervigilance and symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Our findings show that many survivors must manage complex medical needs while also confronting structural barriers like cost, transportation, and insurance gaps that limit access to care,” Semenza said. 

The interviews highlighted how logistical burdens – such as transportation and paperwork – often fall to survivors, with community violence prevention specialists frequently stepping in to help schedule appointments, refill prescriptions and assist with everyday tasks.

More than half of survivors lacked access to free or low-cost care, about 40% needed dental or vision specialists, and one in four didn’t have a primary care provider. Financial, insurance, and transportation barriers – along with difficulty navigating referrals and follow-up care – frequently limited access to treatment. 

“Community-based violence prevention specialists play a critical role in bridging the gap between survivors’ health needs and the fragmented systems meant to support them,” Semenza said.

Explore more of the ways Rutgers research is shaping the future.