Black people more than three times as likely as white people to be killed during a police encounter
Black Americans are 3.23 times more likely than whites to be killed by police.
PTSD affects majority of sexual violence survivors
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often thought of as a condition primarily affecting veterans. Yet 50% of all cases of PTSD in the U.S. result from sexual or physical violence, according to Karestan Koenen. Koenen, professor of psychiatric…
Screening for adverse childhood experiences to reduce toxic stress
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)—including abuse, parental divorce, or having substance abuse in the household—which can induce a toxic stress response linked to a lifetime of health problems.
Op-ed: Discrimination contributes to poor health
Evidence suggests that discrimination harms health through multiple pathways.
Experts welcome new federal funding for gun research
In December, Congress voted to approve $25 million for gun violence research. Experts hope the new funding will shed light on questions about gun ownership and the effectiveness of firearm policies and violence prevention efforts. The new funding…
Healing the hurt
Physician John A. Rich, MPH ’90, reflects on what has he learned in the decade since publishing a pathbreaking book on trauma in the lives of young black men.
Does creating gun-free zones increase safety?
Some communities have designated certain public spaces, like courthouses and municipal buildings, as gun-free zones. But experts say there’s no conclusive evidence as to whether establishing such zones increases safety. A December 4, 2019 story on WAMU (Washington,…
How a database helps prevent violent deaths
Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) has been crucial in helping policymakers, health care workers, and researchers understand more about what leads to violent deaths, including homicides and suicides,…
Could recent mass shootings spur action to reduce gun violence?
The federal government has not taken steps to reduce gun violence in the U.S., even after a spate of mass shootings. But other entities—such as state governments, foundations, and corporations—may be spurred to take action, according to Harvard…
Medical groups issue joint call to action on gun violence
Several high-profile medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Public Health Association, are calling for action on gun violence in the U.S. In a policy paper published in the Annals…