Faculty and students from St. Ambrose University’s Master of Public Health program, in collaboration with Family Resources, have published a commentary in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, advocating for community-led solutions to prevent gun violence. The article underscores the need to empower local communities as leaders in violence prevention, offering data-driven strategies to address what has become the leading cause of death among children and young adults (0-24) in the United States.
Gun violence is a public health crisis that requires intervention at multiple levels - individual, family, community, and policy. The MPH program and the Institute for Person-Centered Care at St. Ambrose University work closely with Family Resources to promote evidence-based approaches that reduce the factors leading to firearm violence. The commentary highlights community-based research as a key tool for creating sustainable change.
"This collaboration between SAU and Family Resources exemplifies the value of partnership to reduce gun violence, to create safer environments, and to shape policies that prioritize the well-being of all persons,” said Ann Garton, director of the Institute for Person-Centered Care at St. Ambrose University. “The institute aims to create collective wisdom that builds upon the strengths in our own community.”
By engaging students and faculty in research and community outreach, St. Ambrose University plays a critical role in reducing gun violence through education, mentorship, and collaboration with local organizations.
“Our findings can guide policymakers to create evidence-based policies and interventions that lead to safer neighborhoods. For example, understanding the role of schools, police departments, and youth programs can better support violence prevention strategies,” explains Melissa Sharer, PhD, director of the MPH program.
A critical strategy to gun violence prevention is prioritizing community-led initiatives that link the most at risk individuals to resources. The recently published article reinforces the impact that research can have in supporting these efforts and shaping policy recommendations for safer communities.
Read the full article in The Lancet: The Lancet Regional Health – Americas
