Aiming for Prevention: International Initiatives

Violent Injury Research

It is important to understand the context in which interpersonal violence occurs in different countries in order to help guide intervention strategies. Violence occurs in a complex interplay of individual, relationship, social, cultural and environmental factors. A public health approach focuses on the risk factors driving armed violence. Action-oriented research uses the collected data to try to help formulate prevention policies at all levels.

For over a decade IPPNW affiliate members have been conducting research on injuries from violence, initially on landmines, and more recently with a focus on firearm injures. They have undertaken quantitative research, such as a pilot surveillance project at hospitals in five African countries, a review of gunshot injuries at a major Salvadoran hospital, an investigation of the public health consequences of tribal wars in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, and collecting data as landmine monitors in countries in Africa and Asia.

They have also implemented an innovative qualitative research program of individual case studies of victims of gun violence under the banner One Bullet Stories. Our work has responded to a World Health Organization call to action for a public health approach to preventing violence. And, to the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons that underscores the need for action-oriented research by the health and medical communities.

In order to raise awareness, and help inform policy-making to implement intervention strategies, results from the research projects have been shared with other researchers, the media, NGOs and community leaders, and policy makers, published in international journals, presented at major international health conferences and IPPNW Congresses, and shared with IPPNW affiliates.