Engaging in Public Health Research on the Causes and Prevention of Gun Violence

This presidential memorandum directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the CDC and other HHS scientific agencies, to conduct or sponsor research into the causes of gun violence and ways to prevent it. The Secretary must first identify pressing research questions with greatest public health impact and assess existing interventions. The directive is explicitly subject to appropriations availability and does not create enforceable rights.

Federal Register Open PDF 78 FR 4295

Impact dates

Jan 16, 2013
Begin identifying research questions and assessing existing interventions

Key directives

Secretary of HHS shall conduct or sponsor research into causes of gun violence and prevention methods
Secretary shall begin by identifying most pressing research questions with greatest public health impact
Secretary shall assess existing public health interventions being implemented across the Nation to prevent gun violence
Memorandum to be published in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Secretary directed to begin identifying research questions and assessing existing interventions

Near term (90d)

Initial research agenda development and scoping of existing interventions

Long term

Potential gun violence prevention research studies and publications contingent on appropriations

Risks & tensions

Subject to availability of appropriations may limit actual implementation
No dedicated funding mechanism specified
Potential political opposition to CDC gun violence research given historical funding restrictions (though not explicitly mentioned in text)
Research findings could become politicized regardless of scientific intent