Violence and public health

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-5
Author(s):  
Alexander Butchart ◽  
Stephanie Burrows ◽  
Berit Kieselbach
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Youth Violence ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Health And Development

Abstract Violence is a major public health problem and in recent years has become increasingly important on the global public health agenda. This article provides an overview of the history and significance of interpersonal violence – including child maltreatment, youth violence, intimate partner violence and elder abuse – in global health and development policy, and illustrates the public health approach to violence prevention.

scholarly journals Healthy People 2020 Objectives for Violence Prevention and the Role of Nursing

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Simon ◽  
Kimberly Hurvitz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Violence Prevention ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Youth Violence ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Healthy People ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Healthy People 2020

Violence, including child maltreatment, youth violence, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, is a significant public health problem in the United States. A public health approach can help providers understand the health burden from violence, evaluate evidence for prevention strategies, and learn where to turn for information about planning and implementing prevention strategies for this preventable problem. For the past three decades, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has published “Healthy People” objectives for the next decade. The Healthy People 2020 initiative includes 13 measurable objectives related to violence prevention, one of which was selected as a Healthy People 2020 Leading Health Indicator. Progress to achieve these objectives can save thousands of lives, reduce the suffering of victims and their families, and decrease financial cost to the law enforcement and healthcare systems. The role that nurses can and do play in violence prevention is critical and extends beyond just caring for victims to also include preventing violence before it happens. This article summarizes the violence prevention objectives in Healthy People 2020 and the resources for prevention available to support nurses and others as they move prevention efforts forward in communities to stop violence before it starts.

scholarly journals Violence –related injuries in a rapidly developing Middle Eastern country: A Retrospective Study from a Level 1Trauma Center

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monira Mollazehi ◽  
Ayman El-Menyar ◽  
Ahammed Mekkodathil ◽  
Rafael Consunji ◽  
Hassan Al-Thani
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
South Asians ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Gulf Region

Abstract Background Violence is a global public health problem leading to injuries, long-term physical, sexual or mental health problems and mortality. The burden of violence-related injuries remains understudied in the Arabian Gulf region. The present study aimed to describe the epidemiology of violence-related injuries in Qatar. Methods A retrospective analysis of trauma registry data from a level 1 trauma center was conducted by including all patients presented to the hospital following violence-related injuries in the duration between June 2010 and June 2017. Results The incidence rate of violence-related injuries was 4.6 per 100,000 population per year; significantly higher rate in males (5.5/100,000 males/year vs. 1.8/100,000 females/year) and in younger population, specifically in 25-34 years age-group (41%). South Asians (55%) were the principal victims. Interpersonal violence (IPV: 71%) was the major contributor. Three quarters of the pediatric injuries were caused by IPV and mortality was 8% which in fact was higher than the overall mortality. In-hospital mortality was 6.4%. Higher case fatality rate was reported in females (16% vs.5%, p=0.001). Conclusions Although the rate of violence-related injuries in Qatar was low, its disproportionate burden in the South Asians and young population warrants an evidence-based public health approach in violence prevention that addressing the risk factors. In addition, its burden in the pediatric population is also alarming.

scholarly journals New WHO Violence Prevention Information System, an interactive knowledge platform of scientific findings on violence

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Burrows ◽  
Alexander Butchart ◽  
Nadia Butler ◽  
Zara Quigg ◽  
Mark A Bellis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Information System ◽  
Violence Prevention ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Youth Violence ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Knowledge Platform

Scientific information on violence can be difficult to compile and understand. It is scattered across websites, databases, technical reports and academic journals, and rarely addresses all types of violence. In response, in October 2017 WHO released the Violence Prevention Information System or Violence Info, an online interactive collection of scientific information about the prevalence, consequences, risk factors and preventability of all forms of interpersonal violence. It covers homicide, child maltreatment, youth violence, intimate partner violence, elder abuse and sexual violence.

Family Violence in Context: An Intergenerational Systemic Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-291
Author(s):  
Stephen Southern ◽  
Raymond D. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Family Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Intergenerational Transmission Of Violence ◽  
Systems Model ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Systemic Model

Family violence represents a major public health problem and a violation of human rights. Violent families engage in child maltreatment or intimate partner violence in response to horizontal stressors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and vertical stressors, including events in the family life cycle and changes in cultural contexts. Although family violence is often considered an individual problem, solutions require close examination of family structure, dynamics, and competence. The Beavers Systems Model for Family Functioning identified family groupings at risk of family violence. An emerging perspective on intergenerational transmission of violence from childhood neglect and abuse to elder abuse accounts for the accumulation of adverse childhood experiences and increasing risk of victimization or perpetration. An intergenerational systemic model identifies multiple contexts and levels for evaluating and treating family violence over the life span. Early identification and intervention facilitate prevention and rehabilitation. As families transcend adversity, they are able to realize post-traumatic growth and resilience. Recommendations for applications of the model are offered.

Global Surge in Intimate Partner Violence after Mandatory Lockdown: Implications for Pakistan

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Butool Hisam ◽  
Mohammad Nadir Haider ◽  
Ghazala Saleem ◽  
Admin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Violence Against Women ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Issue

We are observing with great concern the global spread of the COVID19 Pandemic. What is equally alarming is a less visible, albeit serious Public health issue; one that the United Nations has dubbed as the ‘Shadow Pandemic’ [1]. This is none other than the globally prevalent issue of violence against women, particularly Intimate Partner Violence. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a serious, possibly preventable public health problem globally. Pakistan ranks among the countries with the highest IPV rates [2]. On 11th March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the highly infectious and lethal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) to be a pandemic [3]. Drastic measures were enforced universally to curb the spread of COVID-19. Countries issued strict nationwide lockdowns to isolate the population and implemented social distancing. The economy was impacted tremendously, and many people experienced financial and emotional hardship during this mandatory confinement. While everyone was affected, one population was in a far worse situation than others. Survivors of IPV were trapped alongside their perpetrators and faced difficulty/less freedom to escape threatening situations compared to the past. It is not surprising given that historical periods of uncertainty such as war or economic crisis have resulted in increased interpersonal violence, including violence against women [4].  The Hubei province of China, the first region to undergo a lockdown, saw nearly a doubling of their rates of IPV with the start of COVID19 Pandemic.  Similarly, tragic stories gained nationwide coverage in the United States. IPV may also have risen in Pakistan, even if it is not being covered as extensively. During pandemics, fear causes us to minimize our personal needs and make sacrifices we would not normally make. This could be a reasonable approach for most but should not be for survivors of IPV. IPV survivors live in constant fear for themselves and their children; they are now devoid of their only means of mitigation; avoidance. Local woman’s support groups in Pakistan should act and spread awareness about this grim reality hiding underneath the Pandemic. Resources/funding should be made available for survivors to be able to reach out for support without having to leave the watchful eyes of their perpetrators. Public health officials ought to investigate and document the rise in IPV to help identify the leading causes of the increase. These steps will assist in developing crisis-specific guidelines to provide adequate resources for the future. Continuous....

scholarly journals Cycles of violence in England and Wales: the contribution of childhood abuse to risk of violence revictimisation in adulthood

BMC Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Butler ◽  
Zara Quigg ◽  
Mark A. Bellis
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Psychological Abuse ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Health Care Expenditures ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Physical Assault

Abstract Background Interpersonal violence is a leading cause of death and disability globally, has immediate and long-term impacts on individuals’ health and wellbeing, and impacts global health care expenditures and national economies. A public health approach to violence prevention is crucial, and addressing risk factors is a key priority. Global research has demonstrated that childhood adversity increases risk of a range of poor outcomes across the lifecourse. This study examined the association between being a victim of child abuse and the risk of physical assault (PA), intimate partner violence (IPV), and sexual violence (SV) victimisation in adulthood. Methods Data from a nationally representative survey of household residents (adults aged 16 to 59 years; n = 21,845) was analysed. Types of child abuse examined included physical, sexual, and psychological abuse and witnessing domestic violence. Logistic regressions examined the independent relationships between child abuse types, experiencing multiple types, and adulthood violence outcomes. Results Most individual types of child abuse were significantly associated with each adulthood violence outcome, after controlling for sociodemographics and other abuse types. Compared to individuals who experienced no abuse in childhood, those who experienced one form of abuse were over twice as likely to experience PA in the past year and three times as likely to have experienced IPV and/or SV since age 16 years, whilst individuals who experienced multiple types were three, six, and seven times more likely to experience PA, IPV, and SV, respectively. After controlling for sociodemographics and multi-type childhood victimisation, the type or combination of types which remained significant differed by violence outcome; child psychological and physical abuse were significantly associated with IPV; psychological and sexual abuse with SV; and psychological abuse with PA. Conclusions Prevention of child abuse is an important goal, and evidence from the current study suggests such efforts will have a downstream effect on preventing interpersonal violence across the lifecourse. With adulthood victimisation likely to compound the already detrimental effects of childhood abuse, and given that many associated outcomes also represent adversities for the next generation, breaking the cycle of violence should be a public health priority.

Interpersonal violence

2021 ◽  
pp. 377-392
Author(s):  
Rachel Jewkes
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Youth Violence ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Construct ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Societal Factors ◽  
Underlying Causes

Interpersonal violence results in 404,000 deaths annually and substantial health and economic costs. Although there is an element of genetic susceptibility, its use largely a social construct and thus inherently preventable. Interpersonal violence encompasses child maltreatment, peer violence, youth violence, physical, sexual, emotional, and economic intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and elder abuse. While these appear as a disparate set of acts of violence, they are actually very closely interrelated and perpetrators of one form are at greater risk of perpetrating others, and may also have been victims. This chapter uses an ecological approach to understanding common risk factors and underlying causes and reveals the importance of individual-level, interpersonal- or relationship-level, community-level, and societal factors. Evidence of the preventability of interpersonal violence is demonstrated in the United States, where the prevalence of all forms has declined since 1990. This has not been convincingly attributed to any one intervention, and further suggests that a complex and multilevel programme of interpersonal violence prevention is required, targeting risk factors, and encompassing effective health responses to support victims.

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

2018 ◽  
Vol 133 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 65S-79S ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele R. Decker ◽  
Holly C. Wilcox ◽  
Charvonne N. Holliday ◽  
Daniel W. Webster
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Community Violence ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Public Health Burden ◽  
The Public ◽  
Age Related

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.

New Directions in Violence Prediction: The Public Health Arena

1988 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Mercy ◽  
Patrick W. O’Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Group Identification ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
The Public

Injury resulting from interpersonal violence is now recognized as an important public health problem. Consequently, the public health community is applying its perspectives and strategies to the goal of preventing violence. The public health approach emphasizes preventing injuries due to interpersonal violence from occurring or recurring, rather than treating the health consequences of these injuries. Four interrelated steps are used to develop information to guide the development of prevention strategies: public health surveillance, risk group identification, risk factor exploration, and program implementation/evaluation. The ability to predict which people are at greatest risk of injury (or producing injury) and the relative effectiveness and costs of alternative prevention strategies are central to decisions influencing the nature and focus of public health prevention strategies. In order to improve the information base on which decisions concerning violence prevention strategies are founded, the following activities should be given priority: (a) developing surveillance systems for morbidity associated with interpersonal violence; (b) precisely identifying risk groups for nonfatal violent events; (c) applying case-control methods to the exploration of potentially modifiable risk factors for injuries and violent behaviors; and (d) rigorously evaluating extant programs that are intended to prevent interpersonal violence or modify a suspected risk factor for violence.

Bleeding Disorders in Premenopausal Women: (Another) Public Health Crisis for Hematology?

Hematology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 2006 (1) ◽  
pp. 474-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andra H. James ◽  
Margaret V. Ragni ◽  
Vincent J. Picozzi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Premenopausal Women ◽  
Bleeding Disorder ◽  
Von Willebrand Disease ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Bleeding Disorders ◽  
Health Crisis

Abstract Premenopausal women with bleeding disorders represent a major public health problem. Estimates suggest up to 20% of women with menorrhagia have an underlying bleeding disorder (corresponding to a prevalence of 1.5–4 million American women). Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common bleeding disorder among women with menorrhagia, affecting up to 20% of such patients. Besides menorrhagia, important consequences of bleeding disorders in premenopausal women include iron deficiency anemia, miscarriage, postpartum bleeding, uterine bleeding and hysterectomy. These patients face many obstacles in achieving optimum care. Recognition is difficult as women may consider their symptoms “normal” and come to attention only after serious bleeding events. Symptoms of VWD may also overlap with benign conditions, primary providers may not suspect the diagnosis, and convenient hematologic input may be unavailable. Diagnosis is difficult as there is no single definitive test for VWD, and test results are variable, often being affected by extragenic factors, including stress, contraceptives, hormones, and pregnancy. Hemostatic treatment is limited by DDAVP tachyphylaxis, the lack of recombinant VWD concentrates, and the ineffectiveness of hormonal therapy, leading to unnecessary procedures and early hysterectomy. Finally, significant controversy exists regarding classification of type 1 VWD as a disease: given the overlap in symptoms and laboratory assays within the normal population, evaluation for those with VWD might be seen as identification of potential bleeding risk rather than detection of a disease. This symposium seeks to explore these issues in greater detail from the combined perspectives of the obstetrician-gynecologist and the hematologist to promote a better public health approach to this problem.

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