What's New at AFFIRM at the Aspen Institute
Introducing AFFIRM at the Aspen Institute
While many have heard the exciting news, the board of directors of AFFIRM voted to become a program of the Aspen Institute over the summer. As a result, AFFIRM at The Aspen Institute — as we're now known — has become an official program of the Institute's Health, Medicine & Society (HMS) Program.
"AFFIRM has made tremendous strides since our founding in 2017, but as this issue continues to dominate the headlines, we know it is time to take our work to the next level. The common ethos of the Aspen Institute and AFFIRMwill allow us to amplify our message and programs that provide immediate interventions and solutions to addressing this public health crisis.” - Christopher Barsotti, MD, FACEP, FAEEM, and-Founder and Director of AFFIRM at The Aspen Institute
New Year, New Programs.
Our programs explain the connection between health and firearms, and as we enter the new year, we're thrilled to announce new programs of AFFIRM at the Aspen Institute. Though our non-partisan coalition of medical, public health, law enforcement, and firearm industry experts with a proven track record of collaboration, consensus-building, and innovation - these programs will deliver breakthrough solutions that are evidence-based, inclusive, empowering, and tailored to the unique needs of all communities.
SHOT Show 2022
The AFFIRM team is broadening our network of firearm stakeholders in the public health approach. Programs of AFFIRM at Aspen unify the knowledge and traditions of responsible gun ownership with health experts to develop practical, evidence-based methods to increase safety and decrease the risk of firearm misuse at every opportunity -across our health systems and throughout society.
AFFIRM at the Aspen Institute works meaningfully with firearm stakeholder groups and builds a vital bridge between the medical and firearm industries. To grow our network of firearm industry collaborators, AAI is participating in the NSSF's "Shot Show," the nation's largest firearm industry trade show in January 2022.
CDC Director recognizes the importance of inclusivity.
After decades of near-silence from the CDC, the agency's director is speaking up about gun violence and visited Dr. Christopher Barsotti at his local 4-H Shooting Sports Club, where he serves as a youth rifle instructor. Dr. Walensky is asking for the help of the firearm industry, saying, "Come to the table. Join us in the conversation. I want you to teach me what you've done to make your gun safe, and then I want you to teach everybody else.”
In her interview with CNN and Dr. Barsotti, Dr. Walensky expressed the urgency of this crisis, saying, "Something has to be done about this. Now is the time - it's pedal to the metal time. Watch the full interview here.
Giving Tuesday 2022
This Giving Tuesday, we know that you have your choice of charities to support, but we hope that you'll consider AFFIRM at the Aspen Institute on this international day of giving. Now, more than ever, your gift to AFFIRM at the Aspen Institute helps us fight this crisis head-on. Your gift today helps to create a safer tomorrow for generations to come. Stand with us as we #StandAFFIRM.