In June, the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy declared gun violence a public health crisis.

"Gun violence has become the leading cause of death among kids and teens," Murthy said. "That was not true a decade or two decades ago, but it is true today."

And like many other communities across the country – Seattle is feeling the ripple effects of this crisis. 

First Response  — a new series from Cascade Public Media’s podcast Northwest Reports — takes a deeper look at how the medical professionals on the front line of this crisis are handling the influx of patients with gunshot wounds, and treating the long-term impacts of gun violence. It also looks at the impact on those medical professionals’ mental health.

Soundside caught up with the co-hosts and producers of Northwest Reports to talk about the series, and how it deepened their understanding of gun violence. 

Guests:

• Sara Bernard, senior producer and co-host of Northwest Reports
• Maleeha Syed, producer and co-host of Northwest Reports

Related links: 

• First Response: The medical professionals treating gunshot wounds (Episode 1)
• First Response: The hospital working to cure the gun violence cycle (Episode 2)