Police Violence and Public Health [kqed.org]

Alicia St. Andrews 4/29/1510:00 AM

Pediatrician Rhea Boyd says it's time for the effects of police violence on African-American communities to be treated as a public health issue.

In the wake of Sandy Hook, the response from physicians, and pediatricians in particular, was astounding. The tragic deaths moved doctors to address gun violence and its health consequences.

But week after week, as black boys who could be my sons and black men who could be my father, are shot and killed by police, doctors remain silent. As a pediatrician, I'm appalled.

We are watching a public health problem unfold in front of us and we aren't doing anything to stop it.

[For more go to: http://www.kqed.org/a/perspectives/R201504290643]

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Robert OlcottMember

I visited the Southeast Bronx in 1973, where the leading cause of death was heroin overdose; Tuberculosis was six times the national average; VD/STD's were four times the national average, 85% of the housing was sub- standard or deteriorated; Banks "red-lined" the area; and an eight-year old gang member came into the emergency room with a gunshot wound to the thigh--accompanied by two older gang members, to make sure he didn't cry when the bullet was removed.

In 2000, at a "Grand Rounds" continuing education presentation at Dartmouth Medical School, an Epidemiologist reports 52% of Detroit Metropolitan Area Schoolchildren met the criteria for PTSD.

Now we are hearing similar reports for other metropolitan urban areas across the country. Is the stress due to just Police violence, or are there multiple forms of personal and institutional violence taking their toll on everyone....? ? ?

4/30/151:30 AM

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