Violence is a public health issue that impacts the well-being of communities everywhere. In the United States, more than 30 000 deaths per year are attributed to firearms and the homicide rate in America is 7 times the rate in other high-income nations. In cities such as Baltimore, violent deaths are climbing even as population declines. In 2015, Baltimore recorded 344 homicides, its deadliest year on record. However, declaring that violence influences the health of Americans remains a controversial topic. In this editorial, “Violence Is a Public Health Issue” by Dr. Leana Wen et al was published in the November/December issue of the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice.

Violence Is a Public Health Issue
Wen, Leana S. MD, MSc, FAAEM; Goodwin, Kathleen E. BA
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice: November/December 2016 – Volume 22 – Issue 6 – p 503–505
doi: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000000501

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Leana S. Wen, MD, MSc, FAAEM, is the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Prior to joining the Planned Parenthood Family in November 2018, Dr. Wen was the Baltimore City Health Commissioner. In this role, she led the oldest, continuously-operating health department in the US, founded in 1793, with 1,000 employees committed to improving well-being and combatting disparities. [Full bio.]