/ en Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:45:13 -0500 Wed, 06 Feb 19 14:59:58 -0600 /news/headline/2019-02-06-house-holds-hearing-preventing-gun-violence <p>The House Judiciary Committee today held a <a href="https://judiciary.house.gov/hearings-and-markups">hearing</a> on preventing gun violence. Witnesses included Joseph Sakran, director of emergency general surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, who testified as a trauma surgeon, survivor of gun violence and board member of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Sakran described how he was randomly shot at age 17 when a fight broke out near his high school, inspiring him to become a trauma surgeon. “Every day, we are the ones on the front line caring for patients who suffer injuries from bullets … telling families that their loved ones are never coming home,” Sakran said. He called for a broad multidisciplinary, multi-strategy approach supported by science and research, similar to the approach used to prevent motor vehicle injuries and death. Also testifying at the hearing were students, a law professor and representatives from the Baltimore City Sherriff’s Office, Houston Police Department, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and Kids Off the Block, a Chicago-based group that helps low-income youth find alternatives to gangs and violence.</p> Wed, 06 Feb 2019 14:59:58 -0600 Street and Gang Violence /case-studies/2018-11-29-youth-violence-prevention-working-together-keep-communities-safe Thu, 29 Nov 2018 13:08:36 -0600 Street and Gang Violence /case-studies/2018-06-29-detroit-life-valuable-everyday-dlive-detroit-medical-center-sinai-grace <h4>Detroit Medical Center – Sinai-Grace Hospital | Detroit, MI</h4> <p>Detroit Life is Valuable Everyday (DLIVE) was created to address a significant medical issue in its community: Homicide is the number one cause of death for Detroit residents ages 15 to 34, and violent injury recurrence rates have been reported to be as high as 30 to 45 percent at several trauma centers. The first paper looking at recurrent injury rates actually came out of Detroit’s trauma centers in the 1980s; the paper found recurrent injury rates – termed as trauma recidivism – to be 44 percent and mortality rates to be 20 percent. Additionally, statistics show that once someone has been treated for an assault injury, they will often suffer a repeat injury within two years.</p> <p>Read the full case study below.</p> Fri, 29 Jun 2018 15:53:53 -0500 Street and Gang Violence /case-studies/tenderloin-health-improvement-partnership-printable-pdfs <p><a href="/system/files/2018-06/hav_cs_tenderloin_intro.pdf">The Push to Advance Health and Safety in the Tenderloin</a></p> <p><a href="/system/files/2018-06/hav_cs_tenderloin_4_corner.pdf">Grass-Roots Effort Activates Safety Improvements and Neighborliness</a></p> <p><a href="/system/files/2018-06/hav_cs_tenderloin_826_valencia.pdf">826 Valencia Tenderloin Center helps students to find their voices</a></p> <p><a href="/system/files/2018-06/hav_cs_tenderloin_boeddeker_park.pdf">Boeddeker Park Renovation Spawns a New Community Hub in Tenderloin District</a></p> <p><a href="/system/files/2018-06/hav_cs_tenderloin_safe_passage.pdf">A Safe Passage for Students and Vulnerable Residents in the Tenderloin</a></p> <p> </p> Tue, 12 Jun 2018 13:04:38 -0500 Street and Gang Violence /case-studies/2018-connecticut-childrens-medical-center-hartford-hospital-and-trinity-college <h4>Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford Hospital, and Trinity College, Hartford, CT</h4> <p>Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance is a multi-anchor partnership between Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford Hospital, and Trinity College that offers a wide range of programs in an effort to improve the neighborhoods of south central Hartford.</p> <p> </p> Wed, 23 May 2018 12:08:26 -0500 Street and Gang Violence /street-gang-violence-media-insights <h3><strong>AHA Resources</strong></h3> <p><a href="/guidesreports/2018-01-18-cost-community-violence-hospitals-and-health-systems">Cost of Community Violence to Hospitals and Health Systems</a>, July 26, 2017</p> <p><a href="http://www.hhnmag.com/articles/8216-the-impact-of-violence-on-our-communitys-health" target="_blank">The Impact of Violence on Community Health</a>, April 12, 2017</p> <p><a href="http://www.hhnmag.com/articles/8204-study-assesses-high-cost-of-firearm-injuries" target="_blank">Study Assesses High Cost of Firearm Injuries</a>, April 7, 2017</p> <p><a href="http://www.hhnmag.com/articles/8150-finding-a-hospitals-role-in-curbing-chicagos-violence">Finding a Hospital’s Role in Curbing Chicago’s Violence</a>, April 3, 2017</p> <p><a href="http://www.hhnmag.com/articles/8178-the-public-health-approach-to-addressing-gun-violence" target="_blank">The Public Health Approach to Addressing Gun Violence</a>, March 28, 2017</p> <p><a href="https://www.hhnmag.com/articles/8153-part-1-chicago-trauma-surgeon-on-citys-violence-and-burnout-it-spells-for-docs-and-nurses">Chicago Trauma Surgeon on City’s Violence and the Burnout It Spells for Docs and Nurses</a>, March 22, 2017</p> <p><a href="http://www.hhnmag.com/articles/8139-a-health-centered-approach-to-preventing-gun-violence">A health-centered approach to preventing gun violence</a>, March 2017</p> <p><a href="/news/blog/2017-01-31-hospital-offers-risk-youth-grim-lesson-about-gun-violence">Hospital offers at-risk youth a grim lesson about gun violence</a>, Jan. 31, 2017</p> <p><a href="/news/headline/2017-01-30-cradle-grave-helps-risk-youth-understand-gritty-reality-gun-violence">'Cradle to Grave' helps at-risk youth understand gritty reality of gun violence</a>, Jan. 30, 2017</p> <p><a href="/news/headline/2016-11-03-how-one-hospital-applying-public-health-interventions-effort-curb-gun">How one hospital is applying public health interventions in effort to curb gun violence</a>, Nov. 3, 2016</p> <p><a href="/news/headline/2016-08-18-keeping-teens-being-repeat-victims-gunshot-knife-wounds">Keeping teens from being repeat victims of gunshot, knife wounds</a>, Aug. 18, 2016</p> <p><a href="http://www.hpoe.org/violenceprevention">Hospital Approaches to Interrupt the Cycle of Violence</a>, HPOE/HRET/AHA Guides, March 2015. This guide offers hospital leaders a model for hospital-based violence intervention that can be tailored to each community’s unique needs. </p> <h3><strong>Other Resources</strong></h3> <p><a href="http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/program-st-louis-childrens-hospital-tries-keep-kids-returning#stream/0" target="_blank">Program at St. Louis Children's Hospital tries to keep kids from returning</a>, St. Louis Public Radio, March 6, 2017: The program targets children between the ages of 8 and 19 who have been treated at Children's Hospital for such things as gunshot wounds or stabbings.</p> <p><a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/02/26/violence-disease-hospitals-treat-wounds-physical-and-otherwise/TFFbdTysDAd9jVInHr9AKI/story.html" target="_blank">Is violence a contagious disease?</a>, Boston Globe, Feb. 27, 2017: Gunshot victim Kynndal Martin, who benefited from Boston Medical Center’s Violence Intervention Advocacy Program, now works as a dietary aide.</p> <p><a href="http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20161215/NEWS/161209988?utm_source=modernhealthcare&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20161215-NEWS-161209988&utm_campaign=am">Chicago hospitals lean on church leaders to help stem emotional toll of gun violence</a>, Modern Healthcare, Dec. 15, 2016: Northwestern Memorial Hospital has partnered with University of Chicago Medicine to back a program that enlists those who often are sounding boards for the community. Pastors in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood are being trained by a group of Israeli trauma counselors who, having treated victims of terror and war, say gun violence victims are experiencing much of the same psychological effects.</p> <hr /> <p><a class="btn btn-default btn-sm" href="/street-and-gang-violence">More topics on Street and Gang Violence</a></p> Thu, 03 May 2018 11:42:30 -0500 Street and Gang Violence /street-gang-violence-aha-members-action <div class="container row"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-8"> <h2>Youth Violence Prevention</h2> <p><a href="/case-studies/2018-06-29-detroit-life-valuable-everyday-dlive-detroit-medical-center-sinai-grace">Detroit Medical Center – Sinai-Grace Hospital, Detroit, MI – Detroit Life is Valuable Everyday</a> is a hospital-based violence-intervention program targeting patients ages 14 to 30 who are survivors of intentional community violence. (July 2018)</p> <p><a href="/case-studies/2018-02-15-healing-hurt-people-chicago-john-h-stroger-jr-hospital-cook-county">John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County and The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital – Healing Hurt People-Chicago</a> is a hospital-based violence intervention program. (February 2018)</p> <p><a href="/case-studies/2018-02-15-kujichagulia-center-sinai-hospital-baltimore">Sinai Hospital of Baltimore – The Kujichagulia Center</a> targets and engages the most at-risk youth and young men – especially those with histories in street violence – with intensive services including life skills, mentoring, and workforce development programs to create transformative long-term change and personal growth. (February 2018)</p> <p><a href="/case-studies/2018-02-15-building-brighter-futures-youth-umass-memorial-medical-center">UMass Memorial Medical Center – Building Brighter Futures with Youth</a> is a youth jobs development initiative to provide summer employment to inner-city youth. (February 2018)</p> <p><a href="/case-studies/2018-02-15-recreation-worcester-umass-memorial-medical-center">UMass Memorial Medical Center – Recreation Worcester</a> provides inner-city youth with free, supervised recreational activities at 10 neighborhood sites after school and during the summer months. (February 2018)</p> <p><a href="/case-studies/2018-02-15-summer-youth-employment-program-promedica">ProMedica – Summer Youth Employment</a> is a program that provides meaningful opportunities for Toledo youth during the summer months. (February 2018)</p> <p><a href="/case-studies/2018-02-15-teen-pep-peers-educating-peers-promedica">ProMedica – Teen PEP (Peers Educating Peers)</a> is a primary abuse-prevention program that focuses on rape and sexual-violence prevention education as well as teen dating violence and bullying prevention. (February 2018)</p> <p><a href="/case-studies/2017-05-24-mercy-medical-center-des-moines-girl-power">Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines – Girl Power</a> is an innovative violence-prevention initiative serving young women ages 12 to 18. (June 2017)</p> <p><a href="http://www.ahacommunityconnections.org/case-studies/index.dhtml?dcrpath=COMMUNITYCONNECTIONS/cc_case_study/data/output/2016/hahnemannunivhosp">Hahnemann University Hospital – Healing Hurt People</a> (HHP), the cornerstone program of the Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice, offers a hospital-based trauma-informed intervention to address both the psychological and physical wounds of trauma among clients who are seen in the emergency department for intentional injuries (gunshot, stab, or assault wounds). (November 2016)</p> <p><a href="http://www.ahacommunityconnections.org/case-studies/index.dhtml?dcrpath=COMMUNITYCONNECTIONS/cc_case_study/data/output/2016/johnmuirhealth">John Muir Health – Beyond Violence</a> is a hospital-based violence intervention program that aims to promote community health by intervening at the critical and teachable moment immediately following hospitalization when retaliation is most common. (November 2016)</p> <p><a href="http://www.ahacommunityconnections.org/case-studies/index.dhtml?dcrpath=COMMUNITYCONNECTIONS/cc_case_study/data/output/2016/stanthonyhosp">Saint Anthony Hospital – Adults and Children Together (ACT) Against Violence</a> is an education series developed by the American Psychological Association for parents of children under age eight to promote parents raising safe kids. The goal of the 10-week series is to strengthen families by teaching positive parenting techniques and creating safe, nurturing, and healthy environments to protect children from violence. (September 2016)</p> <p><a href="http://www.ahacommunityconnections.org/case-studies/index.dhtml?dcrpath=COMMUNITYCONNECTIONS/cc_case_study/data/output/2016/childrenshospwisconsin">Children's Hospital of Wisconsin - Project Ujima</a> is a multidisciplinary collaboration addressing youth and adult violence in Milwaukee using individual, family and community intervention and prevention strategies. (January 2016)</p> <h2>Community Building</h2> <p><a href="/case-studies/2018-connecticut-childrens-medical-center-hartford-hospital-and-trinity-college">Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford Hospital, and Trinity College, Hartford, CT – Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance</a> is a multi-anchor partnership between Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford Hospital, and Trinity College that offers a wide range of programs in an effort to improve the neighborhoods of south central Hartford. (May 2018)</p> <p><a href="/hav/case-study/tenderloin-health-improvement-partnership">Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, San Francisco, CA – Tenderloin Health Improvement Partnership</a> is a multi-sector collective impact partnership committed to improving health and well-being in the Tenderloin by aligning priorities, resources and activities to create pathways to health for residents. (May 2018)</p> <p><a href="/case-studies/2017-05-24-ouachita-county-medical-center-anti-bullying-rachels-challenge">Ouachita County Medical Center – Anti-Bullying: Rachel’s Challenge</a> is a program with the goal of inspiring and equipping every person with the ability to create a permanent positive change not only in themselves, but in their schools, businesses and communities. (May 2017)</p> <p><a href="http://www.ahacommunityconnections.org/case-studies/index.dhtml?dcrpath=COMMUNITYCONNECTIONS/cc_case_study/data/output/2016/ascensionhlthyneighborhood">Ascension – Healthy Neighborhoods Detroit</a> (HND) was created in 2008 to begin addressing social determinants of health at a neighborhood level. HND opened its first Neighborhood Health & Safety Office on a former hospital campus. (August 2016)</p> <p><a href="http://www.ahacommunityconnections.org/case-studies/index.dhtml?dcrpath=COMMUNITYCONNECTIONS/cc_case_study/data/output/2016/ascensionlourdes">Ascension - Lourdes Youth & Family Services</a> offers many prevention and intervention programs designed to suit the needs of the community’s youth and their families. (August 2016)</p> <p><a href="http://www.ahacommunityconnections.org/case-studies/index.dhtml?dcrpath=COMMUNITYCONNECTIONS/cc_case_study/data/output/2016/metrohealthleadway">The MetroHealth System - Let the Youth Lead the Way</a> engages youth in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood to become active participants in their community. The project encourages youth to take ownership of their community and establish relationships with adults in their neighborhood by working together on community projects. (May 2016)</p> <p><a href="http://www.ahacommunityconnections.org/case-studies/index.dhtml?dcrpath=COMMUNITYCONNECTIONS/cc_case_study/data/output/2016/harborviewmedctr">Harborview Medical Center - Gun Violence Initiative</a> is testing an innovative approach to gun violence patterned on alcohol and substance abuse interventions. After clinical staff treat patients’ gunshot wounds, social workers interview them and begin to address high-risk behaviors. (January 2016)</p> <hr> <p><a class="btn btn-default btn-sm" href="/street-and-gang-violence">More topics on Youth Violence Prevention</a></p> </div> <div class="col-md-4"><img alt="boeddeker park after renovation" class="img-thumbnail" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9c2745e8-7a09-4752-b74b-351b7026b511" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/BOEDDEKER%20PARK.jpg" width="1920" height="1080"> <p>The “Everyone Deserves a Home” mural. <a href="/hav/case-study/tenderloin-health-improvement-partnership">Read more</a> about how Saint Francis organizations are making a positive impact in their community.</p> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 03 May 2018 11:37:50 -0500 Street and Gang Violence /street-gang-violence-webinars-podcasts <p><a href="/webinar-recordings/2018-09-10-webinar-harborview-injury-prevention-and-research-center-gun-violence">Webinar: Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center Gun Violence Initiative: Learning Our Best Lessons and Outcomes by Studying Our Worst Incidents, October 5, 2018</a>: Hear about Harborview’s innovative approach to gun violence patterned on alcohol and substance abuse interventions. The Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center (HIPRC) is a worldwide leader in reducing the impact of injury and violence on lives through research, education, training and public awareness.</p> <p><a href="/education-events/innovations-hospital-and-community-health-partnerships">Webinar: Innovations in Hospital and Community Health Partnerships, June 2018</a>: Learn how Saint Francis Memorial Hospital is partnering with Saint Francis Foundation to play a deeper role in improving health outcomes for residents in the Tenderloin, a highly challenged neighborhood adjacent to the hospital that is home to many high users of health care. Saint Francis launched the Tenderloin Health Improvement Partnership (TLHIP) in 2014 with the goal of improving community health by addressing social determinants.</p> <p><a href="/education-events/project-ujima-changing-lives-reducing-reoccurrence-violence-victims-violence">Webinar: Project Ujima: Changing Lives by Reducing the Reoccurrence of Violence for Victims of Violence, March 27, 2018</a>: Marlene Melzer-Lange, M.D., professor of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin, medical director of Project Ujima and EMS director at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin; and Bridget Clementi, vice president for Community Health at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, speak about Project Ujima, a community-focused, multi-disciplinary collaboration addressing youth and adult interpersonal violence.</p> <p><a href="/advocacy-webinar-recording/2017-12-11-violence-prevention-joint-community-efforts">Webinar: Violence Prevention: Joint Community Efforts, Oct. 17, 2017</a>: Cynthia Kelleher, President and CEO and Lynn Williams, security coordinator for the UM Rehab Institute speaks about the role hospitals can play to ensure the safety of their employees and patients and to reduce violence in their community by collaborating with local law enforcement, the business community and other community groups.</p> <p><a href="http://link.videoplatform.limelight.com/media/?mediaId=047be2bab6a74091978d58d658db1f98&width=480&height=321&playerForm=Player" target="_blank">Podcast: St. Louis Children’s Hospital, June 2017</a>: Speaker: Margie Batek, Social Worker. Margie shares how St. Louis Children’s Hospital coordinates wraparound social and medical services for children impacted by violence through their Victim of Violence program. The program has successfully curbed the reoccurrence of interpersonal violence for the children and families that participate.</p> <p><a href="/system/files/2019-10/podcast-advocate-christ-hospitals-against-violence-june-2017.mp3" target="_blank">Podcast: Advocate Christ Medical Center, June 2017</a>: Speakers: James Doherty, MD, director of trauma surger; Wendell Oman, vice president of mission and spiritual care; Kelly Guglielmi, MD, Chief Medical Officer. Advocate Christ Medical Center’s violence prevention work grew out of trauma center requirements, but it has evolved to become a central element of the organization. The hospital was an initial partner of CeaseFire, which applies a public health model to interrupting violence, using a person’s entrance to the hospital as an impetus for intervention.</p> <p><a href="/system/files/2019-10/podcast-sinai-lifebridge-podcast-hosp-against-violence-lane-lavine-darlene-won-june-2017.mp3" target="_blank">Podcast: Sinai Hospital - LifeBridge Health, June 2017</a>: Speakers: Lane Levine, population health project manager; Darleen Won, assistant vice president, population health; Beth Huber, manager; Ademola Ekulona, program director, Kujichagulia Center. Located in Baltimore, Sinai Hospital has focused efforts on the social and economic determinants of violence through its Kujichagulia Center; “kujichagulia” means self-determination in Swahili. The center provides development and violence prevention services to youth in their communities, including education and vocational training to help them escape the cycle of violence.</p> <p><a href="/system/files/2019-10/podcast-university-maryland-anne-williams-hospital-against-violence-june-2017.mp3" target="_blank">Podcast: University of Maryland Medical Center, June 2017</a>: Speakers: Anne Williams, director of community health improvement; Erin Walton, clinical supervisor, Violence Prevention Program. Community violence has long been a health issue in Baltimore, where the University of Maryland Medical Center is located. UMMC uses an individual’s admission to the hospital from violent injury as an entry point to start intensive case management with the victim and surround him or her with the social and medical support needed to reduce risk and recidivism.</p> <p><a href="/system/files/2019-10/podcast-university-vermont-sister-patricia-mckittrick-hosp-against-violence-june-2017.mp3" target="_blank">Podcast: University of Vermont Medical Center, June 2017</a>: Speaker: Sister Patricia McKittrick, Community Health Improvement Coordinator. Sister Pat shares how University of Vermont Medical Center is building community and social cohesion through their Peace Initiative to address hidden forms of violence in their community such as domestic violence and human trafficking.</p> <p><a href="/advocacy-webinar-recording/2017-12-11-combating-violence-using-hospital-based-violence-intervention">Webinar: Combating Violence using Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs, May 31, 2017</a>: This webinar describes how hospitals and health systems can help to combat community violence using Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs).</p> <p><a href="/advocacy-webinar-recording/2017-12-11-webinar-hospitals-leaders-city-wide-violence-prevention">Webinar: Hospitals as Leaders in City-Wide Violence Prevention: Strengthening Chicago’s Youth, April 26, 2017</a>: This webinar explores how hospitals and health systems can take a lead in convening community stakeholders and citizens to combat escalating violence.</p> <p><a href="/calls/2018-05-03-podcast-chis-longstanding-commitment-combating-violence">Podcast: CHI’s Longstanding Commitment to Combating Violence, March 2017</a>: Speaker: Colleen Scanlon, senior vice president/chief advocacy officer with Catholic Health Initiatives. Colleen explains her hospital system’s long-standing commitment to combating violence in the communities it serves.</p> <hr /> <p><a class="btn btn-default btn-sm" href="/street-and-gang-violence">More topics on Street and Gang Violence</a></p> Thu, 03 May 2018 11:09:14 -0500 Street and Gang Violence /case-studies/2018-02-15-healing-hurt-people-chicago-john-h-stroger-jr-hospital-cook-county <h4>John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County and The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital | Chicago, IL</h4> <p>Chicago saw a spike in violent crime during the past few years, with an all-time high of 771 homicides and 3,550 shootings occurring in 2016. In 2017, those rates decreased, but at 650 homicides and 2,785 shootings, the city still exceeded the number of killings in New York City and Los Angeles combined. In addition, a high percentage of those violent crimes took place on Chicago’s West Side, where John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County is located.</p> <p>In August 2013, Stroger Hospital collaborated with The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital and the Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice at Drexel University in Philadelphia to launch Healing Hurt People-Chicago (HHP-C), a hospital-based violence intervention program. Through assessment, psycho-education, intensive case management, group therapy and mentoring, HHP-C helps youth who have been violently injured heal both physically and emotionally.</p> Thu, 15 Feb 2018 16:03:24 -0600 Street and Gang Violence /case-studies/2018-02-15-building-brighter-futures-youth-umass-memorial-medical-center <h4>UMass Memorial Medical Center | Worcester, MA</h4> <p>Poverty and lack of access to educational, social and economic opportunities are among the leading social determinants of health. Statistics show these socioeconomic factors result in lower utilization of health care services, higher rates of risky behavior and disease, and poorer health outcomes later in life. At nearly 30 percent, the rate of children under the age of 18 living below the poverty level in Worcester is almost double the state average. Youth living in poverty are exposed to and at greater risk of becoming involved in gangs, or affected by gang-related violence. In addition, many young people often seek medical care for violence-related injuries in hospital emergency departments (EDs). Thus, youth violence can also affect the health of communities by increasing health care costs, impacting livability of neighborhoods and decreasing property values.</p> <p>Providing low-income youth with job skills and pre-employment training opportunities improves their likelihood of obtaining and holding employment as adults, thereby improving their ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle, eating habits and access to care. UMass Memorial Medical Center listened to inner-city youth who said, during focus groups held on these topics, that they needed jobs to be healthy, off the streets and out of hospital EDs. In response, in 2005 UMass Memorial launched Building Brighter Futures With Youth (BBFWY), a youth jobs development initiative.</p> Thu, 15 Feb 2018 15:55:36 -0600 Street and Gang Violence