Gun violence threatens public health and is the leading cause of premature deaths in the United States (Gramlich, 2023). According to the American Public Health Association (APHA), guns kill more than 38,000, and 85,000 are injured annually (APHA, n.d.). Homicides account for the largest part (60%) of gun deaths for teens younger than 18, with boys being more likely to die by gunfire (83%) compared to girls (17%)( Gramlich, 2023). There are noted racial and ethnic differences in gun deaths, with 46% involving Blacks, 32% Whites, 17% Hispanics, and 1% Asian victims (Gramlich, 2023).
Gun violence disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minorities that are highly concentrated in a small number of under-resourced and racially segregated neighborhoods (Director et al., 2023). Experiencing gun violence, whether simply hearing about it or witnessing it, impacts mental health and can leave children and teens traumatized with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Smith, 2023). In addition to mental health concerns, youth survivors may be at risk for substance use disorders, difficulty concentrating, increased absenteeism, and challenges with school performance (Panchal, 2022).
In 2019, North Carolina ranked 24th in the highest gun death rates in the country. According to the Research Triangle Institute, the leading cause of death among North Carolina (NC) youth ages 1-17 is homicide by gun (RTI, 2021). In an average year, 1,470 people die, and 3,530 are wounded by guns in NC (EFSGV, 2021). Black males make up 86% of gun deaths, and those between the ages of 15-34 have a gun homicide rate 15 times higher than white males of the same age group (EFSGV, 2021).
McDougal Terrace and Liberty Street public housing in Eastern Durham, NC, was chosen as the priority population to address gun violence disparities in Black neighborhoods. This population was chosen because of the high gun violence in this area. There were 400 shootings in 2022 that took place in Durham, and one-fifth of those happened in and around these communities within one square mile of each other (Krueger et al., 2022).
The theme is named “Citizens Vested Against Gun Violence” as a metaphor for the intervention offering the same protection as a bulletproof vest against bullets. The Cure Violence model is used to address gun violence through an epidemiological approach. The three strategies of the model are to detect and interrupt potentially violent conflicts, identify, and treat individuals at the highest risk, and mobilize the community to change norms (CVG, 2023).
The Social Ecological Model will be used to examine the interconnectedness between individuals, relationships, community, and societal factors that put people at risk for violence or protect them from experiencing or perpetuating violence.
On the individual level, culturally trained community workers (CWs) will help those at the highest risk to steer them away from violence by using relatable language, promoting non-violent responses to conflict, and helping them to obtain social support in the form of education, job training, and substance abuse treatment. The expected outcomes include long-term behavioral change and changes in the life course, reducing the number of violent individuals and victims of violence (CVG, 2023).
On the relationship level, strategies include public health outreach using CWs who share the same background and come from the same communities as those at most risk for violence (CVG, 2023). They will work as life coaches and mediators to resolve conflicts that could lead to shootings. The CWs have trust within the community and can influence and change behavior. Expected outcomes are stopping violent events before they occur, interrupting the transmission of violence, and identifying and changing the thinking of potential transmitters of violence.
On the community level, CWs will engage with community leaders, faith organizations, local business owners, residents, and individuals at high risk for violence. They will mobile the community to create social pressure to stop violence. Expected outcomes are changed community norms around violence (CVG, 2023).
On the societal level, policies will be promoted and enforced to restrict gun access to youths and individuals who are at risk for harming themselves or others, require safe and secure gun storage, promote resident and community safety, and identify the work of community organizations. The expected outcome is breaking the cycle of gun violence in the communities.
Durham County Community Intervention will host the Building a Safer Community Conference at the Durham Convention Center, August 23rd, 2023, where the Cure Violence intervention will be introduced. Families are invited to join stakeholders, community organizations, health professionals, law enforcement, housing, education, and government to discuss breaking cycles of gun violence (Durham, n.d.).
References
APHA. (n.d.). Gun violence. https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/gun-violence
Cure Violence Global. (2023, March 10). What we do - violence prevention - cure violence global. https://cvg.org/what-we-do/
Director, M. et al. (2023, April 17). Gun violence disproportionately and overwhelmingly hurts communities of color. Center for American Progress.
https://www.americanprogress.o...ommunities-of-color/
Durham County. (n.d.). News. https://www.dconc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/9671/
EFSGV. (2021, March 9) North Carolina The Educational Fund to Stop Gun
Violence. https://efsgv.org/state/north-carolina/
Home Area. (n.d.). Durham County, North Carolina - housing, employment, education, more. https://www.homearea.com/county/durham-county-north-carolina/37063/
Gramlich, J. (2023, April 6). Gun deaths among U.S. children and teens rose 50% in two years. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/sh...ercent-in-two-years/
Krueger, S. et al. (2022, August 11). “Shooting constantly:” data shows highest percentage of gun violence happens in this specific, small part of Durham. WRAL.com. https://www.wral.com/shooting-...-of-durham/20413712/
Panchal, N. (2022, Oct 24). The impact of gun violence on children and adolescents. KFF.https://www.kff.org/other/issue-brief/the-impact-of-gun-violence-on-children-and-adolescents
RTI. (2023, March 1). Gun violence in North Carolina. https://www.rti.org/focus-area...arolina-gun-violence
Smith, M. (2023, February 28). Effects of gun violence on mental health.
HelpGuide.org. https://www.helpguide.org/arti...cts-of-gun-violence- on-mental-health.htm
Comments (0)