The document is a report titled "Pathway to Policy: Firearms Trafficking and Public Health in the Caribbean," which aims to improve data analysis and policy responses related to firearms proliferation and its public health impacts in the region.
Credits: The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)
Overview of Firearms Trafficking and Public Health
The report examines the intersection of firearms trafficking and public health in the Caribbean, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated responses to address the rising violence and its economic impacts.
Trends in Firearm-Related Violence
- Firearms involved in 86% of homicides in 2023–24.
- Gang violence, particularly in Haiti, is a significant contributor.
- Recruitment of children into armed gangs is increasing.
Impact on Healthcare Systems
- Average medical costs for gunshot patients exceed annual health spending by 5:1 in The Bahamas, 3:1 in Barbados, and 8:1 in Jamaica.
- Estimated productivity losses: USD 72 million in The Bahamas, USD 19 million in Barbados, and USD 135 million in Jamaica due to firearm injuries.
Firearms Trafficking Dynamics
- Handguns dominate illicit firearms, with a rise in AR- and AK-pattern rifles.
- Maritime shipments from the U.S. are the primary trafficking vector.
- Trafficking of high-capacity magazines is concentrated in specific Caribbean destinations.
Policy Recommendations for Addressing Firearm Violence
- National actions: Strengthen community prevention, integrate public health into security strategies, and enhance offender management.
- Regional actions: Establish a multisectoral commission, intensify joint operations, and create a Caribbean Integrated Violence Surveillance System for better data sharing and analysis.
Regional-Level Actions to Combat Firearm Violence
- Establish a Regional Multisectoral Commission to enhance evidence-informed policy-making across security, healthcare, and civil society sectors.
- Intensify joint counter-trafficking operations with non-CARICOM jurisdictions and improve intelligence sharing.
- Sustain high-level engagement with US counterparts to disrupt trafficking networks supplying the Caribbean.
- Provide up-to-date training for law enforcement on weapons identification and tracing.
- Target the interdiction of illicit firearms, particularly rifles and large-capacity magazines.
- Enhance intelligence-led screening at high-risk entry and exit points to improve interdiction efforts.
- Develop resources to ensure the security and resilience of healthcare facilities against firearm-related incidents.
- Create a regional injury surveillance working group to promote data sharing and evidence-based crime prevention.
National-Level Actions for Firearm Violence Prevention
- Scale up multisectoral prevention efforts at the community level, integrating law enforcement and public health.
- Integrate public health measures into national security strategies to protect healthcare workers and facilities.
- Strengthen offender management and re-entry programs to reduce recidivism among firearm offenders.
- Support non-intrusive inspection systems at key ports to enhance package screening.
- Strengthen regulations on courier services to improve package screening and compliance penalties.
- Prioritize an integrated approach in Haiti, combining arms embargo enforcement with long-term development investments.
- Develop preventive interventions for at-risk children and youth to deter gang recruitment.
- Deploy counter-narratives against violence in communities to reduce the social prestige of firearms.
Trends in Firearm-Related Violence in the Caribbean
- The regional homicide rate has more than doubled, reaching 43.8 per 100,000 population from 2023 to 2024.
- Firearm homicides accounted for 86% of all homicides in CARICOM member states between 2023 and 2024.
- Gang violence is a significant contributor, with reports indicating it accounts for up to 70% of homicides in some areas.
- Hospitals are increasingly targeted in shootings, posing risks to healthcare providers and patients.
- The misuse of high-risk firearms, including AK- and AR-pattern rifles, is on the rise, increasing the lethality of violence.
Impact of Firearm Violence on Healthcare Workers
- Approximately 39% of healthcare workers (HCWs) in a 2024 study across seven Caribbean countries reported experiencing violence.
- In Trinidad and Tobago, 45% of respondents experienced violence, with 76% witnessing it over two years.
- Patient mental health issues and inadequate security measures were cited as primary causes of violence against HCWs.
- Rising firearm violence in Haiti has severely disrupted healthcare services, with over 60% of facilities in Port-au-Prince non-operational by mid-2025.
- Psychological well-being of HCWs is negatively impacted, leading to reduced job satisfaction and trust in health administration.
Trends in Firearm Violence in the Caribbean
- The Caribbean faces increasing gun violence, with homicide rates rising since 2016, particularly among young men.
- Haiti is the most affected, with rampant gang activity and severe disruptions to essential services.
- Transnational criminal networks exploit the region's geography for arms trafficking, complicating law enforcement efforts.
- Gangs compete for territory, leading to increased shootings, often involving innocent bystanders.
Firearm Trafficking Dynamics and Sources
- Handguns dominate illicit firearms in the Caribbean, comprising 88% of seizures, while AR- and AK-pattern rifles are on the rise.
- Trafficking is heavily concentrated in Florida, with 75% of seized shipments originating from Miami.
- Recent data indicates a stable trafficking dynamic, with little change in procurement locations or transport modes.
- Non-US sources of firearms are under-researched, but evidence suggests trafficking from South America and other regions is occurring.
Recommendations for Addressing Firearm Violence
- Integrate health-sector threat management into national security strategies.
- Prioritize facility risk assessments, incident reporting, and psychosocial support for HCWs.
- Enhance collaboration between law enforcement and healthcare providers to improve safety and security in healthcare settings.
Overview of Firearm Seizures in the Caribbean
The text provides detailed data on firearm seizures across various Caribbean countries, highlighting the modes of transport, types of firearms, and the countries of origin. It emphasizes the growing issue of firearm trafficking and its implications for public safety.
Firearm Seizures by Country and Location
- Seizures occurred in St. Lucia, The Bahamas, Belize, and Jamaica.
- Notable seizures include multiple firearms and ammunition types, such as Glock pistols and shotguns.
- The Bahamas reported significant seizures at Lynden Pindling International Airport, with multiple firearms confiscated in 2024.
Direct Medical Costs of Firearm Injuries
- Estimated direct medical costs for non-fatal firearm injuries: USD 1.6 million in The Bahamas, USD 228,000 in Barbados, and USD 2 million in Jamaica for 2024.
- The average cost of treating a single firearm injury exceeds annual public health expenditure per capita by ratios of 5:1 in The Bahamas, 3:1 in Barbados, and 8:1 in Jamaica.
Productivity Losses Due to Firearm Violence
- Total productivity losses from firearm-related injuries: USD 72 million in The Bahamas, USD 19 million in Barbados, and USD 135 million in Jamaica.
- Fatal injuries lead to significant productivity losses, with younger victims contributing to higher economic impacts.
Need for Improved Data Collection Systems
- Emphasizes the importance of integrating data collection on gunshot wounds into existing surveillance systems.
- Calls for a regional injury surveillance system to monitor firearm-related morbidity and mortality effectively.
Gun Violence Trends in the Caribbean
- The Caribbean faces high gun violence rates, with increased homicides since 2016, briefly reduced by Covid-19.
- Young men predominantly commit homicides and robberies using firearms, with alarming recruitment of children into gangs.
Illicit Firearms and Trafficking
- Handguns are the most seized firearms, with rising seizures of rifles and large-capacity magazines.
- Traffickers from the U.S., especially Florida and Georgia, are key players, but half of traced firearms come from other regions, including South America.
Public Health Impact of Firearm Violence
- Gunshot wound treatment costs exceed annual healthcare expenditures per capita.
- Firearm injuries lead to significant disability and productivity losses, diverting resources from prevention and development initiatives.
Multisectoral Approach for Solutions
- A balanced strategy between crime response and prevention is essential for addressing firearm violence.
- Regional leaders are committed to enhancing surveillance, legislation, and public awareness to combat illicit firearms trafficking.
