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Abstract
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The National Medical Association (NMA) has taken a keen interest in violence and the impact it has especially on the communities of color. Kids growing up in inner city environments see the highest incidences of violence in our country. In Chicago alone for the month of September 2017 there were at least 56 deaths from shootings.
NMA recommends a comprehensive public health approach to address the growing crisis to gun violence and the underlying factors that lead to violent behavior. Approaching gun violence as a public health issue could lead to a decrease in the number of gun-related deaths and injuries in the United States each year.
In 2016, the NMA developed a Working Group on Gun Violence and Police Use of Force, which established recommendations on comprehensive public health and criminal justice reform. One recommendation was directed towards having the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention increase its research into gun violence especially that at the hands of law enforcement personnel. The NMA recognizes the contribution of law enforcement in protecting our communities and the sacrifices made by our law officers.
Any federal legislative effort should include funding of a public health approach that examines the causes and prevention strategies...
Language: en |