NCJ Number
138569
Journal
Henry Ford Hospital Medical Journal Volume: 38 Issue: 2/3 Dated: (1990) Pages: 175-177
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
An effective approach to decreasing the incidence of interpersonal violence in our society should combine public health policies, which focus on prevention, and criminal justice policies, which focus on establishing blame and imposing a just punishment.
Abstract
Violence is a public health concern for at least three reasons: the magnitude of violence, the characteristics of violence, and the strategies that public health can offer to help prevent violence. Homicides in the U.S. are often committed by people who knew their victims, are often caused by arguments, are often committed with handguns, and often occur when alcohol is used. The public health strategies used to combat smoking could be applied to the area of violence: health education in the classroom, the use of public health providers for educational and screening purposes, and the use of the media to distribute violence prevention information. Other cultural factors that glamorize violence must also be addressed. Education for violence prevention must occur on the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Criminal justice and public health can interact through emergency room contact and programs for incarcerated juvenile offenders. 5 notes