NCJ Number
176896
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Dated: February 1999 Pages: 56-59
Date Published
1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the rationale and tactics used by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to address violence as a public health issue and suggests ways in which criminal justice, corrections, and public health organizations might collaborate to achieve mutual goals.
Abstract
Within the public health approach, violence is "the intentional use of physical force, against another person or against oneself, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury or death." Because violence often leads to injury, sexual abuse, emotional and psychological injury, or death, CDC is interested in learning about violence and how to prevent it. The traditional role of the justice and correction professions has been to punish or rehabilitate those who have already committed a violent act. This contrast provides one area of overlap and possible collaboration: violence prevention work. The public health approach to problem-solving, whether it be infectious diseases or violence, involves a four-step process of applied science. First, identify the size of the problem; second, determine the risk and protective factors (protective factors reduce the risk of involvement with violence) for the population being studied; third, use the information about risk and protective factors to evaluate interventions that address the risk factors for the problem behavior; fourth, disseminate information about and implement programs that have demonstrated effectiveness or a high likelihood of effectiveness in addressing the problem behavior. Some CDC violence prevention projects are described, and some implications are drawn for corrections. 7 notes and 7 references