Work

An Integrated Public Health Approach to Interpersonal Violence and Suicide Prevention and Response

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: Violence is a leading source of morbidity and mortality in the United States. In this article, we suggest a public health framework for preventing community violence, intimate partner violence and sexual violence, and suicide as key forms of interpersonal and self-directed violence. These types of violence often co-occur and share common risk and protective factors. The gender, racial/ethnic, and age-related disparities in violence risk can be understood through an intersectionality framework that considers the multiple simultaneous identities of people at risk. Important opportunities for cross-cutting interventions exist, and intervention strategies should be examined for potential effectiveness on multiple forms of violence through rigorous evaluation. Existing evidence-based approaches should be taken to scale for maximum impact. By seeking to influence the policy and normative context of violence as much as individual behavior, public health can work with the education system, criminal justice system, and other sectors to address the public health burden of interpersonal violence and suicide.

Source: Public Health Reports

DOI: 10.1177/0033354918800019

Authors: Michele R. Decker, Holly C. Wilcox, Charvonne N. Holliday, Daniel W. Webster

Institution: Johns Hopkins University

Language: English

Topic: Intimate Partner and Family Violence

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Gender equality, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities