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Burn injury predisposes patients to significant psychological morbidity, including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress. Adding to the burden of injury, patients often require transfer to specialized burn centers located far from home. We hypothesized that greater distances between a patient's home address and the treating burn center would increase the rate of postinjury anxiety and depression. From January 2021 to June 2023, patients who were admitted to our American Burn Association verified center and seen for posthospitalization follow-up were identified. Demographics, burn characteristics, and follow-up anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2) screening scores were reviewed. Comparisons between patients with positive and negative screens were performed using univariate analysis followed by logistic regression. Linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between distance to the burn center and incremental screening scores. Of the 272 patients identified, 35.6% and 27.9% screened positive for anxiety and depression, respectively. The distance to burn center was not greater among patients with positive screens. Likewise, no statistically significant linear relationship was found between distance to the burn center and incremental screening scores. Morphine milligram equivalents on the last day of hospitalization (P =.04) and a prior psychiatric history (P <.001) all predicted postinjury anxiety. Total body surface area burned (P =.02) and a prior psychiatric history (P =.02) predicted postinjury depression. The distance between a patient's home and the treating burn center does not alter anxiety and depression rates following burn injury, further supporting the transfer of patients to specialized centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Firearm violence is an American public health crisis that negatively impacts children and disproportionately affects Black youth. Few firearm injury prevention programs have been described in pre-adolescent children. The Future Healers Program is a novel collaboration constructed via partnership between the medical school, trauma center, academic surgery department, and local non-profit community organization. Our study sought to evaluate if (1) partnering with community organizations facilitated recruitment of children with prior exposure to firearm violence and (2) the health care community was a potential trusted partner appropriate for program delivery. Methods: Children aged 4-13 were recruited to join the program via news outlets and social media and in partnership with a local non-profit organization. Of the children and parents participating in the program, 48% (44/92) and 59% (38/64), respectively, completed an IRB-approved survey study. Pearson's chi-square, percentages, and 95% confidence intervals evaluated differences between children and caregivers on sociodemographic characteristics, firearm exposure (FE), firearm violence exposure (FVE), and perception of health care. Participant's residence was geocoded in relationship to incidents of firearm injury (2008-2021) in the same region. Results: Caregivers (95%) and children (84%) reported substantial exposure to firearm violence and resided in areas with frequent firearm injury incidents. Notably, 82% of caregivers and 66% of children reported having a family member injured by gunfire. A high percentage of caregivers (79%) and children (91%) self-reported trust in the health care system. Conclusion: Partnerships between community organizations and health care systems can develop prevention programs that effectively recruit and engage pre-adolescent children impacted by firearm violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]