Population Density and Triage of Pediatric Firearm Injuries in a Rural Trauma System.

This article examines pediatric firearm injuries in Mississippi by analyzing data from the state's only in-state Level I pediatric trauma center between 2013 and 2020, focusing on differences related to county-level population density classified as rural, micropolitan, or metropolitan. The study found that children injured in rural counties were more likely to sustain unintentional injuries, experienced longer transport times to the trauma center, and required fewer operative interventions compared to those from more urban areas, with trends toward lower injury severity and mortality. These findings highlight significant regional variability in injury patterns and healthcare needs, suggesting that tailored outreach, telehealth, and decision support could improve resource allocation and care equity in mixed urban-rural trauma systems. The authors emphasize the importance of local data to inform prevention strategies and optimize trauma system design in regions with large rural populations.