1 out of every 15 American adults have been at a mass shooting, according to University of Colorado study
Stories from mass shooting survivors and their loved ones, as well as new research, are creating more awareness of gun violence. A
new study from the University of Colorado Boulder
shows that 1 in 15 American adults have been on the scene of a mass shooting. This study defines a mass shooting as an incident when four or more people are shot in a public space.
The research comes as those in the Boulder community gathered four years later to remember the 2021
King Soopers shooting
that took the lives of 10 people and impacted countless others.
That impact includes Erika Mahoney, whose father Kevin was killed while grocery shopping that day. Four years later, it's easy to see Mahoney's strong bond with her dad in family albums and frames throughout the house.
Mahoney showed CBS News Colorado some of those photos, describing them as she thumbed through.
"Here we're in the kitchen, and dad, I'm wearing my dad's giant jacket," Mahoney said. "It's motivating to see his face, but I also hear him saying, like, keep going."
As a former journalist, Mahoney is now dedicating her life to sharing stories like his and documenting the lasting impact of gun violence.
"The news covers [mass shootings] in the beginning, and the hardest part is those years in between where you're crying in the corner, or you can't go grocery shopping, or you are, you know, missing your dad and it's Father's Day," Mahoney said.
To showcase those moments and the generational pain that can follow
a mass shooting
, she's releasing a new podcast this spring.
Senseless
will feature more than a dozen people affected by gun violence in Boulder.
"At its heart, this podcast is truly a love letter to my dad, and it's about how we move forward after tragedy," Mahoney said.
One of her podcast guests will be David Pyrooz, a professor of sociology and criminologist at the Institute for Behavioral Science at CU Boulder. His episode will break down his new study that came up with the data behind the 1 in 15, or about 7% of U.S. adults on average that have been at the scene of a mass shooting.
"It means you were in the direct vicinity to where you could see the shooter. There were bullets that were fired in your direction, or if you couldn't directly see the shooter, that you could hear the gunshots," Pyrooz said.
The study came to that number by surveying 10,000 people last year. The research also details that more than 2% of U.S. adults have been injured during a mass shooting.
Pyrooz explains, "Mass shootings, you know, I know they occur across the world, but, you know, in the United States, there's just such a concerted interest and focus on it, and we should aim to understand this better."
Meanwhile, Mahoney continues to remember who her dad was and hopes the new data and personal stories together can showcase the
realities of mass violence
-- and move the needle towards stopping them.
"If we can realize that this affects so many people far beyond really any number can show, because I'm not included in the data, and I was traumatized, and so, you know, we I think that the ripple effect is even so much bigger than we can imagine," Mahoney said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
39 minutes ago
- New York Post
What is TRT? Experts weigh in on male ‘Manopause' and how to treat low testosterone, safely
New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. There's no denying it. RJK Jr. has explored a few controversial ideas, particularly in the health and wellness sector. But, regardless of where you stand on his views, one thing is hard to deny. Looking back at those viral videos of him pumping weights at Gold's Gym back in 2023, he was in phenomenal shape for a man his age — biceps bulging, chest chiseled, pecks defined. He could have been an amateur bodybuilder. For a nearly 70-year-old, he was ripped. Shortly after the videos surfaced, rumors began buzzing that Kennedy was on steroids. He promptly denied it, instead crediting his disciplined 35-minute workout routine. There was one other thing he mentioned. 'I take testosterone replacement, which are appropriate to my age, and then I take a big fistful of nutrients,' he explained in an interview with Newsmax. Hormonal changes associated with menopause are not so secret. Women are warned about hot flashes, mood swings, and decreased periods — all of which have been studied and scrutinized for as long as most of us can remember. But Man-opause? Until recently, it has remained a blind spot in the scientific community. The age-related decline in testosterone levels, sometimes called Andropause — or 'Manopause' colloquially — has often been met with more questions than answers. Emerging research has begun to spark conversations around male aging and hormonal health. A 2023 study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology revealed that testosterone levels in American men have dropped about 1% per year since the 1980s. The decline can not be attributed to aging alone. Find Out About Our Top TRT Pick Ulo Ulo Feeling low on energy? Ulo offers a personalized approach to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), starting with an at-home lab test and virtual consultation with a licensed provider. If TRT is recommended, treatment options — including injections, gels, and oral medications — are delivered straight to your door. Plans start at $159/month. You'll only be charged if a provider determines treatment is appropriate and writes a prescription. Treatment is currently available in select states and includes ongoing support throughout your plan. Learn more about how it works and if it's available in your state at Ulo's website. LEARN MORE Some endocrinologists have studied the root causes, suspecting the decline is due to the increase in ultra-processed foods, pesticides, as well as drug use, and other environmental concerns. Others are focused on the best ways to raise levels back to the normal range. For people like Deep Patel, co-founder of the telehealth company Ulo, the statistic was a catalyst for exploring Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) as a potential solution. 'It's like the male version of menopause, except no one acknowledged it until recently,' Patel told the New York Post. 'And look, the data backs this up. Endocrinologists have documented a population-wide decrease in testosterone levels over the past few decades. It's not just in people's heads.' Testosterone levels typically begin to decline when men reach their forties, at which point, some will start to experience a range of symptoms, everything from hair loss and lowered libido to decreased muscle mass and fatigue. Some of these changes are to be expected, but others can reveal a larger condition, hypogonadism. Men with particularly low levels of testosterone — 'Low T,' as the guys say — could also suffer from erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, and even infertility. To determine whether levels are healthy or low, men can take a TRT test. These blood tests, typically administered in the morning when levels peak, examine the amount of the male hormone present in the blood. The normal range is considered to be anywhere between 300 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter. For men outside the normal range, some Doctors recommend trying TRT, the routine that RFK Jr. and millions of others have embraced as part of their anti-aging and health protocols. On TikTok, the tag 'TRT Before and After' has amassed thousands of videos and millions of views showcasing brawny men flexing their quads and joking about their sudden burst of energy and newfound sex drives. Unlike Kennedy, many of these men are still young, in their twenties and thirties. TRT has become more accessible through providers and online TRT companies like Ulo, but it's essential to recognize that it's only FDA-approved for specific conditions, such as hypogonadism or diminished functional activity of the gonads. TRT is not FDA-approved for men with low levels due to aging or other non-medical reasons. Medical experts still have varying opinions on treatment. Some believe that the 'normal range' does not sufficiently identify men who could benefit from TRT. Others take a more conservative approach, warning that the potential side effects outweigh the benefits and that TRT should be reserved for men with particularly low levels. Testosterone Replacement Therapy FAQs To break down the myths surrounding manopause and TRT, The Post spoke with three experts who have years of experience in the men's health field. Testosterone levels naturally decline with age, but what's considered 'normal' can vary widely by individual. This chart shows average total testosterone ranges (measured in ng/mL) by age group. If you're experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, speak with a licensed medical provider to determine whether treatment is appropriate for you. Peter Hermes Furian – Is testosterone declining in America? Testosterone levels have declined substantially over the last couple of decades, and experts believe several factors may be contributing to these changes. 'Right now, testosterone is declining in American men of all age groups, young and old. No one is talking about that,' shared Dr. Michael Aziz, the author of 'The Ageless Revolution' and an anti-aging internist and regenerative physician specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Azis believes that the decline in level is tied to several environmental problems, dietary changes, and how men socialize. 'This has to do with increased consumption of ultra-processed food, use of pesticides, excess alcohol, legalization of recreational drugs, smoking, and trans fats,' he said. What are the ideal testosterone levels? Most medical centers and experts considered normal testosterone levels to land anywhere between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter. However, age is also an important factor. Azis explained that it is important to look at each patient individually in order to determine whether their levels are considered normal. 'If testosterone levels are checked, the lab reference is wrong, as it groups all men. Lab levels are 300-1000 nanograms per deciliter, so men in their twenties who are supposed to have a testosterone of 1,000 are placed in the same category as 80-year-old men with levels of 300,' he stated. As a result, Azis explained that some young people with low levels are told that their results are normal when, in reality, they could be ideal candidates for TRT. 'Many men suffer as doctors treat those men with drugs for depression or ED pills, versus looking at testosterone levels,' Azis warned. What is TRT, and how is TRT used to treat low testosterone? Mostafa Abu-Hijlih, a nurse practitioner practicing at Grand Central Men's Health in NYC, says that TRT has been a game-changer for her patients. She always felt there was a gap in clinical spaces for men to discuss issues that have been historically stigmatized, but TRT opened up the conversation. 'Testosterone Replacement Therapy is a medical treatment used to optimize testosterone levels in men and women when indicated, ' Abu-Hijlih explained. 'Testosterone is responsible for energy levels, libido, muscle mass, and bone density, and has been shown to improve REM sleep time when optimized.' TRT works by replenishing the lost testosterone that the body is not producing naturally. It's not about taking extra testosterone but rather restoring the body to a healthy, normal level. Abu-Hijlih pointed out that the dosage depends on what is needed for each patient, and testosterone levels should be continuously monitored to determine the appropriate dose. How is TRT administered? According to Abu-Hijlih, there are a few different options for TRT patients when it comes to how testosterone is administered and absorbed. blackday – TRT is administered through a variety of modalities, including weekly intramuscular injections, topical cream, implantable pellets, or even intranasal nose spray,' she noted. 'Really depends on a combination of clinical results, patient preference, and tolerability.' It's not uncommon for patients to try different administration techniques until they find the one that works best for them. About 90% of Abu-Hijlih's patients undergo TRT via a weekly intramuscular injection into their arm or their glutes. What are the benefits of TRT? The benefits of TRT include increased energy, improved sleep quality, higher libido, enhanced intimate performance, and better results at the gym. Abu-Hijlih described how many patients begin to feel young again, with more motivation to participate in all the activities they used to love, but no longer had the energy for. 'The improvement in overall quality of life is always incredibly gratifying to witness,' she shared. 'They walk in standing taller, [with] higher levels of confidence, regained energy levels to work out at the gym again, and have a bounce in their step that makes it a very gratifying experience for both the patients and the provider.' Research has also revealed that TRT is an effective option for addressing psychological and sexual symptoms associated with hypogonadism. A 2019 study on prescription testosterone found that 52% of men claimed testosterone improved their energy, 42% saw improvements in their libido, and 29% reported muscle growth. Who can benefit from TRT? Deep Patel is not a physician, but he has built his career around solving real-world problems that men deal with every day. His telehealth company, Ulo, has been working to make TRT more accessible to men than ever before, and he says that their services are not bound to men over 50. Younger men can benefit from TRT, too. 'More and more men in their twenties, thirties, and forties are dealing with low T,' Patel shared. 'About 40% of men over 45 have clinically low testosterone, but we're seeing younger guys affected too. If that sounds like you, it's worth getting your levels checked.' How to get TRT Many providers and telehealth sites offer TRT services. In many cases, the first step is taking a TRT test and speaking with a doctor about symptoms. Companies like Ulo treat patients holistically, considering their specific needs and tailoring the treatment to their individual symptoms. 'The biggest mistake people make is doing TRT without medical guidance or buying unregulated testosterone products online,' Patel said. 'At Ulo, we monitor every guy's complete bloodwork regularly, not just testosterone, but also things like hematocrit, estradiol, and lipid profiles — and adjust treatment accordingly to catch issues before they become problems.' Patel explained that the best way to minimize risk is to work with a legitimate provider who actually looks at your bloodwork and adjusts your protocol based on how your body specifically responds. How long does it take to see results from TRT? Patel explained that symptom relief can look different in everyone, but you shouldn't have to wait long to see the results. gn8 – 'As for results, most guys feel a difference within four to six weeks,' he noted. 'More energy, better mood, stronger libido. The body composition changes, like more muscle and less fat, usually take a bit longer, around two to three months.' Patel cited one TRT patient who knew the treatment was working when he woke up one morning and actually wanted to go to the gym for the first time in years. Is TRT safe? What are TRT risks? When properly monitored, research indicates that TRT can be safe long-term for most men. That said, every patient needs regular blood work to ensure their levels stay within a healthy range, according to Patel. 'TRT does come with risks that need to be taken seriously. The most common side effects include acne, water retention, or elevated red blood cell counts, which can thicken your blood,' he shared. 'Some men experience testicular shrinkage or reduced fertility. There are also concerns about cardiovascular risks in certain populations, particularly men with existing heart conditions.' Can TRT affect fertility? Yes, TRT can affect fertility, especially if you're not using anything to counteract it. TRT significantly suppresses natural testosterone production, which can also reduce sperm production. 'But if fertility matters to you, there are medications like HCG or enclomiphene that can be taken alongside TRT to preserve it,' Patel pointed out. In a 2021 study, over 90% of men maintained normal sperm counts when using these fertility-preserving medications with TRT. Patel stressed the importance of telling providers that fertility is a priority before they begin treatment. How much does TRT cost? Does insurance cover TRT? The cost of TRT varies depending on factors such as your insurance coverage, provider, treatment needs, and the location of the clinic. Some insurance providers do cover TRT, but patients must meet specific thresholds. Most providers require TRT candidates to have medical documentation that indicates their testosterone has fallen below the normal levels, as well as recorded symptoms like fatigue or low libido. If you're paying out of pocket, the cost of TRT will depend on the type of treatment. Most testosterone injections cost between $50 and $150, oral tablets around $300, and patches can reach $400. Some telehealth companies offer a range of treatments for a monthly subscription cost, which can range from $100 to $300 per month. Should you try TRT? Is it worth it? Patel has seen many men suffer from low testosterone firsthand. It's not uncommon for him to hear them say things like 'I can't focus like I used to,' 'I feel flat mentally, physically, sexually,' 'I've lost my drive,' or 'I just don't feel like me anymore.' Even after optimizing for sleep, diet, and everything else, their low testosterone was still impacting their everyday lives. Once they received treatment, things began to shift. 'They're not looking for shortcuts. They're looking to feel normal again,' Patel said. 'And, often they've tried everything else — better sleep, different diets, supplements, lifestyle changes. TRT is rarely the first thing they try, but for many with genuinely low levels, it's the solution that finally works.' TRT could be right for you, but, as with any new health treatment, it's important to consult your physician and explain your symptoms prior to making any changes to your regimen. This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson's Blueprint Longevity Mix to home gym elliptical machines to Jennifer Aniston's favorite workout platform – often with her adorable one-year old daughter by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette. Looking for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping Post Wanted.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why Is Elon Musk Tweeting About Me at 3 A.M.?
If elected, I would be the poorest member of Congress—and the world's richest man just attacked me in a 3:00 am tweet for supporting universal healthcare. You might have seen a clip of me on CNN last week, debating with Scott Jennings on whether healthcare is a basic human right. In that clip, Jennings—a long-time Republican strategist and pro-Trump contributor at CNN—asks, 'Even illegals?' To which I respond, 'Every single person in the world deserves healthcare... How is this controversial?' It shouldn't be controversial. And I'm not afraid to say that as a person or as a congressional candidate. The state of our country's healthcare has been front and center for many Americans over the last few weeks, as President Trump's so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill' threatens healthcare coverage for 11 million people—including thousands of families right here in Illinois' Ninth Congressional District, where I am running. Why? So Republicans can slash taxes for the ultra-rich, decimate oversight for AI, and spend $125 billion on a 'Golden Dome' which will make America less safe – all for the low, low price of workers' health, food, and clean air. Our healthcare system is one of the worst in the developed world. Medical debt is the cause of 66% of bankruptcies in the US. In Canada, the runner up in this bleak competition, that number is 19%. We spend more on healthcare than any other wealthy country and yet have the worst outcomes. We take Ubers instead of ambulances, take fish antibiotics instead of prescriptions, and often skip medical treatment altogether because of the expected cost. These hardships are uniquely American. In 1944, Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed a Second Bill of Rights to Congress, encouraging legislators to enshrine into law additional rights not already enumerated in the Constitution. His proposals were prescient, reflecting trials many Americans face today: the right to earn a decent living, the right to trade free of monopolies, the right to education. He also said that every American should be guaranteed 'the right to medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health.' Congress did not pass it. It's been more than 80 years since FDR proposed his Second Bill of Rights and healthcare is still not a legal right for any American. While the Affordable Care Act made progress on this front, treatment and prescription costs are still expensive, insurance bureaucracy is still predatory, and most Americans' coverage is still tied to their employment. I lost my own health insurance for over a year when I was laid off last May. Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' would continue the death by a thousand cuts approach to the ACA that Republicans have pushed every time they're in power. Donald Trump and the Republicans want to make this worse. By creating even more hoops for Americans to jump through just to get care that is often lackluster, by demonizing the poor, and by insisting healthcare is something you must earn, this administration is bragging about its own inhumanity. When I said, 'Every person in the world deserves healthcare,' Jennings couldn't fathom that idea. His first instinct was to blurt out, 'Even illegals?' The answer is yes. If you are a person, you deserve healthcare, no matter where you are or who you are. No one deserves to die because they can't afford insulin or because they're too scared of bankruptcy to seek medical attention. If you show up at my doorstep starving or injured, I am not going to ask for papers before I help you. Conservatives struggle with this idea. Elon Musk seems to think this idea and my comments are 'suicidal empathy.' Illinois Republicans were so incensed that my campaign office stocks food, clothes, and other resources for whoever needs them, that they thought I was somehow breaking the law. But in most other wealthy countries, this mindset is barbaric. In much of the rest of the world, if you need care, you get it. In fact, I have needed to see an emergency doctor in three foreign countries since I was a kid and all of those visits cost less than any urgent care clinic visit I've had in the United States. But when you say any of this, the Republican instinct is to ask, 'How will we pay for this?' The answer is pretty simple and we've known it for a long time. Universal, single-payer healthcare—a system where our tax dollars pay for our healthcare without the private insurance middleman—would actually save us money and lead to better health outcomes. We save lives, reduce waste, and guarantee a baseline of human dignity. Of course, predatory insurance companies would lose the ability to profit off of our basic existence, but that's a sacrifice we should all be willing to make. One of the main reasons I'm running for Congress is because our leaders have conditioned us into thinking we don't deserve good things, especially if we aren't rich. But we do. You do. Every American deserves to afford housing, groceries, and healthcare with money left over to save and spend. We deserve to thrive, not just survive. And every single human being in every single country deserves to know that they can find the help they need on the worst day of their lives, when they are at their weakest and most vulnerable. For most Americans this concept isn't hard to grasp, but when it comes to Elon Musk and right-wing pundits, they simply can't fathom having even an ounce of basic humanity.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. Says Seed Oils Are Poison. Here's What a Dietitian Says
Seed oils have come under fire, with Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., leading the charge, saying Americans are being "poisoned" by them While they can cause inflammation, Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian with the Center for Human. Nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic says the bigger problem is that they're used in ultra-processed food The issue is less about the seed oils themselves and more about the foods they're inSeed oils — a type of processed oil found in packaged food and used for deep-frying — have come under fire, with the secretary of health and human services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posting on X that Americans are being 'unknowingly poisoned." Wellness influencers have joined in, decrying them as the 'hateful eight": specifically, canola, corn, cottonseed, soybean, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, and rice bran oils. The real story is a bit more complicated. 'They're not poison, but we're poisoning ourselves with everything else that's ultra-processed and processed that may be cooked in seed oils," Julia Zumpano, registered dietitian with the Center for Human Nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic, tells PEOPLE. 'The bigger picture is the fact that we're eating way too much of seed oils, which happen to be found in highly processed foods," she explains. "That's where I see the problem.' On their own, seed oils are high in Omega-6 fat, which Zumpano says is linked to increased inflammation. But, as she explains, 'instead of deep frying chicken in beef tallow versus the seed oil, let's just focus on the fact that fried chicken is not really that good for us.' Beef tallow, which Kennedy has touted as a healthier option, does have some benefits, Zumpano tells PEOPLE. 'There's nutrients in it, fat-soluble vitamins that are essential.' But when you're using it to cook highly processed foods, she explains, 'we're just flip-flopping between two issues that aren't necessarily better.' As she explains, 'We're heavily focused on the seed oils and not necessarily focused on the fact that the foods that they're in are so processed: sauces and dressings and baked goods and potato chips and candy bars and granola bars and protein bars. Even coffee creamers are loaded with seed oils,' she says. They're in highly processed food because they're more cost-effective to make, Zumpano explains: 'It's cheaper and quicker and easier to process it with chemicals and solvents.' But if you're cooking at home, she says, with 'cold pressed or hi-oleic sunflower seed oil, or a canola oil and you're drizzling it, pan-frying some fish with it, there are no health concerns like inflammation. Fast Food is a part of American culture. But that doesn't mean it has to be unhealthy, and that we can't make better choices. Did you know that McDonald's used to use beef tallow to make their fries from 1940 until phasing it out in favor of seed oils in 1990? This switch was… — Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) October 21, 2024 'We should just focus on really eliminating highly, ultra-processed and processed foods and going back to basics. Again, if you're gonna use the beef tallow at home to cook your eggs, fine — or the canola oil. "You're using it in moderation, a small amount, just to get the job done versus deep frying a doughnut or deep frying french fries or deep frying whatever breaded food or processed fried food you're consuming.' Ultimately, 'It's not the oil itself. It's the food that's found in the oil that is more of the problem.' If someone were to ban seed oils out of their diet, 'that's great, because they're probably cutting out a bunch of junk food," she says. "But I don't think anyone needs to be very fearful if their grandma made muffins with canola oil. They're gonna be okay if they eat that.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Read the original article on People
