MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Doctors say community efforts are making a difference with fewer children being treated for gunshot wounds in the Memphis area.

The number of children shot and rushed to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital is a number that's been far too high for far too long. "The firearm injuries and children have really been terrible for the last few years, in Memphis and the Mid-South," explained Dr. Regan Williams, Trauma Medical Director at Le Bonheur. "Since about 2016 or 2017, we saw a sharp increase, which was amplified during the pandemic.

There's encouraging news for 2025 — the trend is moving in the right direction. "I don't think this is attributed to the task force [Memphis Safe Task Force], because they have, of course, only been here since the end of September.." Williams said

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