Ann Arbor Times

Tsu-Yin Wu, professor and director of the Center for Health Disparities Innovations and Studies at Eastern Michigan University, was recently invited by The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Office of Public Engagement to participate in a pivotal in-person roundtable on June 25, 2024. The discussion focused on assessing and addressing the impact of gun violence on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.

This invitation provided an opportunity to voice concerns and highlight the critical work done to address gun safety challenges in AANHPI communities. "As a nurse by training, researcher, and a mom, every time I see another gun-related violence incident, it’s a sobering wake-up call that we must do more," said Wu. "Every gun-inflicted death is preventable."

Wu's extensive research on gun violence, particularly its impact on Asian Americans, has garnered significant attention. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wu uncovered a correlation between racism and firearm ownership and injury. She recently led a study published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, examining the relationship between racism, mental distress, alcohol use, and firearm purchasing behavior among Asian Americans during the pandemic.

Wu emphasized the significance of firearm-safe storage, referencing the tragic school shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan in 2021 as an example of how proper storage can prevent fatalities. She also shared details about her ongoing work in Michigan, including a National Institutes of Health Community Firearm Violence Prevention grant received by EMU's Center for Health Disparities Innovations and Studies. This grant supports interventions against gun use within Asian American communities nationwide.

Through a community-participatory approach, Wu's study team recruited participants from Asian American communities to take pictures illustrating the root causes of firearm violence. The resulting images and testimonies validated previous quantitative findings, emphasizing these communities' significant mental health concerns.

Wu advocated for primary prevention strategies when asked about solutions to combat this public health crisis. "Primary prevention offers the greatest societal value for investment," said Wu. "This public health crisis can be addressed with effective tools in public health science and resources dedicated to the work of primary prevention. The efforts should use an evidence-based approach that prioritizes addressing underlying factors and root causes responsible for the heightened risks that Asian Americans are experiencing."

The roundtable began with remarks from Rhais Bhuiyan, a gun violence survivor who was shot by white supremacist Mark Anthony Stroman. Bhuiyan later founded the non-profit organization World Without Hate.

In addition to Professor Wu, the panel included Po Murray, chairwoman of Newtown Action; Hsing-Fang Hsieh, research assistant professor at the University of Michigan; Gloria Pan, spokesperson for AAPI Against Gun Violence Coalition; and senior vice president of MomsRising.org.

Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is currently serving more than 13,000 students pursuing various degrees across multiple disciplines through its Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; as well as its graduate school.

For more information about Eastern Michigan University or to stay updated on university news visit EMU Today.