Community Health Center’s Post

NEW TOOLKIT FOR BETTER REPORTING ON GUN VIOLENCE News coverage of gun violence can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and make it seem inevitable, but, as communicators, we have an opportunity to tell better stories to help minimize harm and make it clear that change is possible. This new toolkit, developed in partnership with our friends from the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting (PCGVR) and the Stoneleigh Foundation, includes guidance to help communicators tell more complete, humanizing stories to build support for a public health approach to gun violence prevention. Take a look at the toolkit:

Is gun violence a public health issue? Or is it a question of identity? Jonathon Metzl's What We've Become (out soon!) answers these questions. In a starred review, Kirkus calls it "a powerful, convincing effort to reframe the discussion around gun control." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g4XAQy4S

Dr. Vivek Murthy has officially recognized gun violence in America as a public health issue, drawing parallels with historical health campaigns against smoking and traffic safety. Here are some highlights from the declaration: - Gun violence is now framed as a health issue, not just a political debate. - Recommended measures include safe storage laws, universal background checks, and an assault weapons ban. - Increased funding for research into firearm violence prevention is essential. - Health workers are advised to discuss firearm safety with patients. - Public health strategies aim to shift national perspectives on gun safety, much like past successes with tobacco. It's time to look at gun violence through the lens of health and safety for all, especially our children. #PublicHealthCrisis #GunViolence #SafetyFirst #HealthOverPolitics #UniversalBackgroundChecks #SafeStorage #RedFlagLaws #AssaultWeaponsBan #FirearmSafety #ProtectOurChildren #EndGunViolence

Check out our factsheet, "How Firearm Injury Impacts American Children's Biopsychosocial Health" in honor of National Gun Violence Prevention Month! https://bit.ly/4b4pF1T #GunViolencePrevention #Resources #Safety #Children

June is Gun Prevention Awareness Month. This blog highlights the Violence Prevention Navigation Framework, a novel approach to addressing gun violence that helps leaders make informed, strategic decisions. Using big data and knowledge from local government and community-based partners, VPNF helps leaders understand the causes of violence and develop tailored prevention strategies to make communities safer. Read more about this comprehensive, data-driven initiative of the WestEd Justice and Prevention Research Center: https://bit.ly/3zhMl1A #GunViolenceAwarenessMonth

We are so thrilled to put the Violence Prevention Navigation Framework out into the world! This was a labor of love with our dear friends from Muflehun. VPNF leverages state of the art technology to seamlessly harvest big data sets that represent localized risk and protective factors for gun violence prevention at community and society levels. We know many local and state leaders WANT to prevent gun violence but also know first hand that the desire alone not only won't get the job done, a heedless effort can end up causing more harm while wasting public dollars. VPNF first gives you comprehensive data across sectors to shine the light on the specific factors that are having the greatest impact on local violence. Then, with the clear lens provided by that foundational quantitative data, VPNF then turns to the most important perspective-- the people perspective. To uncover why and how those factors grew into what they are, VPNF gathers crucial qualitative data from the people who know best-- community members, service providers, government agencies, and so on. With both forms of data collected, VPNF then provides local leaders with a prioritized list of factors that they can use to begin their strategies to address these root causes. These primary prevention efforts would not only lessen the likelihood of future violence in the long-term, but VPNF also intentionally and rightfully puts the onus back on governments and elected officials to undo harm and inequities caused by past (and sometimes current) policies and practices rather than blaming and punitively punishing people and communities. We would love to bring VPNF to your city, county or state! Feel free to reach out, and you can find more information here: https://lnkd.in/eF-Gg73C

I applaud the Surgeon General’s announcement naming gun violence a public health crisis. As a public health professional, I know first-hand what data-driven, evidence-based programming and strategic partnerships can do - from working with automotive manufacturers to ensure every car has child passenger safety systems to fighting Big Tobacco to hold them accountable for knowingly marketing addictive nicotine products across the globe, public health researchers and practitioners have successfully worked with corporations, policymakers, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to keep communities healthy and safe. Promising best practices are emerging from successful community- and hospital-based violence intervention programs, as well as safe storage programs that are gaining traction across the country. Gun buy back programs are ongoing in communities where violence proliferates. By looking at gun violence through a public health lens, we can examine all of these programs to see how they complement each other, to understand what truly works. As a gun violence prevention advocate, I truly hope that Dr. Murthy’s call to action will move us beyond divisive rhetoric so that we can address this uniquely American crisis. Our communities and our children deserve better. 🧡 #gunviolenceprevention #gunsafety #endgunviolence #injuryprevention https://lnkd.in/eCdR87qV

We’re heartened to see the United States Surgeon General officially declare gun violence a public health crisis. This recognition is a significant step towards addressing a challenge that affects countless lives daily. Shockingly, firearms are the number one killer of children in the US, a horrific statistic that we can change. By framing gun violence as a public health issue, we can foster comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to prevent violence and promote safer communities for everyone.    Every sector can come together to use its influence and resources to address this pressing challenge. Hear how leaders in advocacy, public service, business, and beyond are thinking about the future of gun violence prevention. https://lnkd.in/gNgHpMDT #publichealth #gunviolenceprevention #publicsafety

Guns are now the leading cause of death for kids... Let that sink in. On National Gun Violence Awareness Day, we stand with Northwell Health to #RaiseHealth by creating strategies to reduce unintentional shootings and help parents feel more comfortable talking about gun safety. 160 hospitals have formed a coalition to reduce injuries and deaths due to firearms, fighting this health epidemic to save kids’ lives. Learn more at: hospitalsunited.com #LockGuns #MovementMakers #MovementThinking #ItDoesntHurtToAsk #GunSafety #NYT #NewYorkTimes #NationalGunViolenceAwarenessDay

When two deadly epidemics conflate, the consequences are unfathomable. Domestic violence with gun access is deadly, and all too often, we see vulnerable lives taken by abusers with guns. June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, and in talking about gun violence, it is impossible to ignore its distinct correlation with domestic violence. We cannot leave victims and survivors out of the conversation - they must be held front and center in addressing the lack of protections that our communities face. Help us advocate for a better, safer future. Start by learning more about the correlation of gun violence and domestic violence at https://lnkd.in/gZHp-UF7 and follow along with CAWC as we identify the need, address the solutions, and provide options for advocacy! #GunViolence #GunViolenceAwareness Source: Everytown for Gun Safety