Community-centered programs critical in addressing gun violence 

Does it seem like you are hearing about a new shooting investigation every time you turn on the news? Unfortunately, gun violence is becoming all too common in the United States. Harborview Medical Center, the only Level I trauma center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho, saw 34 people this May injured from firearm injuries. From June 1-24, they had already seen 46 cases. Nationally, the U.S. surgeon general also recently declared gun violence a public health crisis.
“Community violence intervention is one of the most important approaches or strategies for reducing violence, including gun violence that is being implemented across the country, ” says Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, director of the Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program at UW Medicine in Seattle.