About this episode:

Homicides in the U.S., particularly those involving gun violence, peaked in 2022 following a rapid rise during the COVID pandemic. In the years that followed, there were notable decreases and 2025, so far, shows one of the most dramatic reductions in homicides in decades. In this episode: A look at some of the reasons behind the rise and fall of deaths, and why staying the policy course may be key to avoiding another spike.

Guest:

Daniel Webster is a Bloomberg Professor of American Health who has studied gun violence and prevention for more than thirty years.

Host:

Dr. Josh Sharfstein is vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a faculty member in health policy, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department.

Show links and related content:

• Deadly decisions? Trump guts anti-crime program as summer violence looms—USA Today

• Supreme Court upholds Biden regulations on ‘ghost gun’ kits—NBC News

• City of Baltimore Reaches Settlement in Polymer80—Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore City

• A Safer Gun Buying Process—Public Health On Call (February 2025)

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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.