Citation

Bell CC. J. Natl. Med. Assoc. 2017; 109(4): 224-237.

Affiliation

Jackson Park Hospital Family Medicine Center, USA; University of Illinois at Chicago (Ret.), USA; Community Mental Health Council, Inc. (Ret.), USA. Electronic address: bell-carl@att.net.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, National Medical Association (USA))

DOI

10.1016/j.jnma.2017.04.006

PMID

29173929

Abstract

PURPOSE: This article covers violence prevention (homicide and suicide) activities in the African American community for nearly 50 years.

METHOD: Drawing on lived experience the works of early and recent efforts by African American physicians, the author illustrates we know a great deal about violence prevention in the African American community.

RESULTS: There remains challenges of implementation and political will. Further, most physicians, like the public, are confused about the realities of homicide and suicide because of the two different presentations both are given in the media and scientific literature.

CONCLUSIONS: Responses to homicide and suicides should be based on science not distorted media reports. There are violence prevention principles that, if widely implemented, could stem the tide of violence.

Copyright © 2017 National Medical Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Historical perspectives; Homicide; Prevention; Suicide