Public Health Institute’s Post

Gun violence as a public health crisis explored by U.S. Senate Democrats "Ranney said that for the U.S. to treat gun violence as a public health epidemic, the first step is to first collect data on gun violence. She said through data, researchers will be able to find risks and predictions and then figure out what kind of programs can change those patterns, such as violence prevention programs." Interesting. It sounds like framing gun violence as a public health crisis opens the doors to a diversity of organizations being able to converge research. The more perspectives, the better! #guns #gunviolence #ussenate #publicsafety #2a https://lnkd.in/eYt66MvG

I love this job and certainly love what it does and all it represents. However, it is a "sad" necessity....that's getting worse. That is what fuels my passion for what we do. We have a solution...is it going to stop every threat every time...nope, nothing will. But it gives you the edge to save lives in critical seconds that matter, the alternative? Sit back and do nothing, and that is not an option. #noexcuses #endgunviolence #saferschools #safeworkspace

#Better #data #boosting #gun #violence #prevention #efforts #August29, 2023 – #Since #federal #policy was #changed #in2019 to allow funding for gun violence research, #multiple #databases have been #established #to #track #violent #deaths across the U.S. The data provide key information for successfully implementing a public health approach to prevent gun violence, according to #David #Hemenway, #professor of #health #policy at #Harvard #T.#H. #Chan #School #of #Public #Health."

"More needs to be done locally and nationally to treat gun violence as a public health crisis and as an equity issue." Institutionalized inequities manifest in many heartbreaking ways. Gun violence continues to be one of the many social drivers of health that disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities. We need change now. We thank Compact member Dr. Kevin Churchwell for highlighting this most critical issue and advocating for structural change that will adequately meet the intersecting health needs of our communities. Read more below: https://lnkd.in/eTYWaENm #HealthEquityCompact #AnActToAdvanceHealthEquity #HealthEquity

"Suicide is a significant public health issue that must be addressed by public conversation, public policy, and public acknowledgment of the role of firearms in suicide deaths in this country. Gun ownership remains a hot topic in terms of individual rights, but the collective toll of firearm suicide must be considered if we are to educate the public about firearm access and firearm safety and suicide prevention." ~ Jane G. Tillman, PhD, ABPP Hear Dr. Tillman talk about the four R's that protect against suicide - https://lnkd.in/eE4NsZBs.

https://lnkd.in/eNKhM3qV RECOVERY -WELLNESS 101:

Sitawa Wafula, an Aspen New Voices 2016 Fellow, penned down her thoughts in an opinion piece for PennLive.com, "Suicide is a major and often overlooked aspect of gun violence," she argued that we need to reframe the conversation about suicide to include the role of guns. She also explained that we need to expand the current definition of gun violence to include suicide. She also emphasizes the need to incorporate the effects of violence to self in conversations about gun violence and trauma. Read the full opinion piece here https://lnkd.in/gNT3XbGX

Why are so many people feeling the effects of trauma today? One big reason: gun violence. It's hitting communities of color hardest and we can't look away. Gun violence is linked with deep issues like unfair social systems, poverty, and injustice. It's more than just a safety problem; it's a health emergency. This article details the steps Boston is taking that include plans that focus on people, but we need to do this everywhere. #GunViolencePrevention #publichealth https://lnkd.in/eWuqTcms

#InTheNews: Changing the Narrative of Gun Violence In addition to investigating the impact of media coverage of gun violence, Trauma surgeon Dr. Jessica Beard is exploring ways to deepen journalistic narratives so that they provide context, solutions and a variety of perspectives: “How do we actually help the public to understand gun violence as a public health problem and support policymakers, or demand that policymakers take a public health approach to gun violence?” she asks. Beard’s research is unusual for the field, which tends to focus on mass shootings. PCGVR’s findings were included in a recent review, co-sponsored by the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention, which looked at studies of media representations of gun violence since 2000. “It was found that ours were among the few research studies that focused on reporting on community firearm violence,” she says. “But I do think there is a movement — a narrative change movement — when it comes to how we talk about gun violence, how it’s framed, whether it’s inevitable or preventable, and how we understand its root causes.” https://lnkd.in/eXEzbf6W #GunViolencePrevention #Media #NarrativeChange

27,000 Americans die by suicide using a gun. More gun deaths due to suicide than gun deaths due to murder, about 20% more. We should all be outraged & want TWO things from our politicians. (1) More resources put towards mental health awareness & therapy. It is still a stigma in the US if a person calls out for help and goes to therapy, especially for males. (2) Better gun-control legislation. We say our gun laws are already too restrictive. Not so, they are not comprehensive enough. 16 states and DC have laws requiring guns stored locked, only about 30% of the nation. Ask your politician if they have helped pass legislation for more comprehensive laws. If not, don’t vote for him or her. please HELP! This heart-wrenching story should change your thinking. https://lnkd.in/gFAeUmJD #guncontrol #gunsafety #Republicans #Democrats #mentalhealth