ERIC Number: EJ1375994
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: EISSN-2168-3751
Reducing Gun Violence: Using an Upstream/Downstream Incremental and Public Opinion Approach
O'Rourke, Thomas W.
American Journal of Health Education, v54 n1 p1-9 2023
Gun violence is a significant public health issue. The U.S. has more than one mass shooting a day in which four or more people are injured or killed. However, mass shootings are only the tip of the iceberg of gun violence. Among developed nations, the U.S. is an outlier in both gun possession and gun deaths. Gun deaths affect not only the victim but also have significant short and long term emotional and economic consequences on family, friends, the community and the psyche of the nation. Nationally, gun violence prevention remains elusive. History on many contentious issues, including smoking and automobile safety, suggest meaningful change can occur. Often these changes are associated with a triad of factors. These include sustained advocacy and education efforts, often over many years, incremental changes along the way using an upstream-downstream approach, accompanied by public education and supportive public opinion. Finally, and importantly, it suggests what health educators and citizens can do to address the gun violence problem.
Descriptors: Violence, Weapons, Intervention, Prevention, Homicide, Advocacy, Injuries, Death, Suicide, Public Opinion, Political Issues, Laws, Health Education, Specialists
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A