Dr. Emmy Betz explains that a public health approach involves a four-step cycle that begins with analyzing data to understand who is being injured or killed and why. This includes looking at various factors such as suicide, mass shootings, and youth violence in communities. The next step is to identify strategies to prevent these injuries and deaths. The effectiveness of these strategies may vary depending on the location, as what works in one area may not work in another.
Once effective strategies are identified, the public health approach involves scaling them up to have a greater impact. This could include implementing community violence intervention programs or providing respectful counseling by healthcare providers. The goal is to address the gaps in knowledge and invest in funding for prevention efforts. While tackling these issues is complex and challenging, utilizing this framework can help address the problem in a more systematic way.
It is important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to this issue, but by approaching it from a public health perspective, progress can be made in preventing violence and promoting safety. By understanding what works and how to scale up effective strategies, communities can work towards reducing injuries and deaths related to violence.
