New York (Oct. 29, 2018)—The American Geriatrics Society (AGS)—our members, leaders, and staff—extends our deepest condolences to the congregation of the Tree of Life synagogue, where a senseless act of gun violence this weekend claimed 11 lives, including a geriatrician who cared for older adults in Pittsburgh.
In offering our sympathy for those in Pittsburgh—and for the countless older adults, families, healthcare professionals, and so many others impacted by gun violence daily—we also continue to offer our voice, assistance, and expertise in the call for greater action on firearm-related injuries and deaths in the United States.
We join the American College of Physicians (ACP) and other colleagues across healthcare in condemning firearms violence and hate crimes—both as serious public health crises and as barriers to care our health workforce confronts all too often.
We also remain hopeful that, together, our voices, assistance, and expertise will move us further toward a world where gun violence no longer jeopardizes our health, safety, and independence as we age.
About the American Geriatrics Society
Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a nationwide, not-for-profit society of geriatrics healthcare professionals that has—for more than 75 years—worked to improve the health, independence, and quality of life of older people. Its nearly 6,000 members include geriatricians, geriatric nurses, social workers, family practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and internists. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy. For more information, visit AmericanGeriatrics.org.