The Public Health Implications of Gun Violence in Detroit: Contributing Factors, Racial Inequities, and Evidence-Informed Strategies for Prevention

Abstract

Gun violence in the United States is widely recognized as a public health crisis, with more than 40,000 firearm-related deaths annually. Detroit, Michigan, has long been one of the cities most severely affected, with firearm homicide rates several times higher than state and national averages. This narrative review synthesizes existing evidence on the scope of gun violence in Detroit, key structural and social risk factors, and the public health consequences for physical, mental, and community health. It also examines racial and socioeconomic inequities in exposure to violence and proposes a three-pillar, evidence-informed prevention framework focused on (1) community violence intervention, (2) firearm policy and access, and (3) youth-centered mental health supports. By situating Detroit’s experience within broader public health and health equity literature, this article argues that addressing gun violence in the city requires sustained, multisector action that targets structural determinants, not just individual behavior.