Journal of public health policy
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At the World Health Assembly in 1996, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared violence "a leading worldwide public health problem" and called for public health strategies to address it. The WHO's call to action, as well as an international political movement that is gaining strength, has helped galvanize health professionals in many countries to employ the tools of public health and their medical skills to better understand the causes of violence, to use research findings to influence policy, and to animate statistics with a human face. ⋯ It presents a history of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War's (IPPNW) involvement in this issue. A case example from IPPNW/Zambia demonstrates how health community involvement can raise awareness about armed violence and its risk factors, and influence policy changes.
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This article summarizes why firearms are the most lethal tools of violence, and some pertinent issues public health professionals face when working to ameliorate the effects of gun violence. It surveys large gaps in data and understanding regarding the African context--most research has hitherto been conducted in developed countries. And it reviews international agreements that could be used to mobilize support for public health approaches. Although none focus explicitly on public health, some agreements offer commitments that can be used by people working to improve public health.