Syracuse Sun

Bryce Hruska, assistant professor of public health in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, along with a team of researchers, is delving into the impact of neighborhood characteristics on firearm violence. The group, which also includes David Larsen, chair and professor of public health at Falk, and Margaret Formica, associate professor of public health and preventive medicine at Upstate Medical University, is aiming to shed light on the disparities in firearm violence risk among different communities.

Hruska highlighted the importance of understanding how various factors intersect to either increase or decrease the risk of firearm violence, particularly in communities of color. He pointed out that under-resourced neighborhoods, weak gun laws, limited educational and job opportunities, and systemic racial inequities all play a role in these disparities.

The researchers have secured over $250,000 in funding from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities for a two-year grant. Their focus is on analyzing the landscape of firearm violence in Syracuse and exploring potential urban design solutions that could help address this pressing issue. Hruska emphasized the practical implications of their work, especially as cities like Syracuse consider future development projects such as the I-81 Viaduct Project.

The team's ultimate goal is to leverage their research findings to shape public policies aimed at reducing firearm violence in Black communities not just in Syracuse but in other areas as well. By understanding the influence of neighborhood characteristics on firearm violence, they hope to contribute to the creation of safer and more equitable communities.