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Reducing Violence: Issues, Options, and Opportunities for State Governments
Effectiveness of Interventions
Presenter:
Deborah Prothrow Stith, M.D., Director and Professor, Division of Public Health Practice, Associate Dean of Faculty Development, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston,
MA.
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Dr. Prothrow Stith indicated that the problem of violence in this country has risen to epidemic
proportions. This epidemic is a combination of important factors that have "aligned" over time to act as the catalysts for violence in the United States.
These key factors include:
- The increased availability of guns for people of all ages and the pervasive nature of gun use as a solution to problems.
- The problem of poverty and discrepancy in social capital correlated with income and equality within communities.
- The pervasiveness of drugs and alcohol in this country and the abuse of these substances as a factor leading to violent behavior.
- The impact of family violence on children and families.
- The negative shift in how people interact with one another that is illustrated by general disrespect and meanness toward others.
Dr. Prothrow Stith said that States can have a significant impact on the problem of violence by
acting as a neutral convener, bringing partners together to address violence within the State and community. This can facilitate the building of a movement to combat a problem that is far too big for one program or one agency to conquer alone.
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