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

Dr. Leana Wen

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.]

Author Profile

jphmpdirect

Latest entries

• JPHMP Direct Voices2021.08.09Resources to Help Schools Promote COVID-19 Vaccination
• Big Cities Health Coalition2021.06.30How Health Departments Are Addressing Substance Use Disorder and Overdose During a Pandemic
• Healthy People 20302021.06.16Podcast: Law and Policy as Tools in Healthy People 2030
• HRSA's Investment in Public Health2021.05.18Video Q&A — Preventive Medicine for Rural America: Why More Training Programs Must Be Here