Bridging the Response to Mass Shootings and Urban Violence: Exposure to Violence in New Haven, Connecticut

• DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2016.303613
• Publication Date: 2017-01-19T20:57:57Z
• Authors: Alycia Santilli; Kathleen O’Connor...; Amy Carroll-Scott; Jordan Thomas; Ann Greene; Anita Arora; Alicia Agnoli; Geliang Gan; Jeannette Ickovics
• Keywords: Haven

We have described self-reported exposure to gun violence in an urban community of color inform the movement toward a public health approach prevention. The Community Alliance for Research and Engagement at Yale School Public Health conducted needs assessments document chronic disease prevalence risk, including violence. surveys with residents six low-income neighborhoods New Haven, Connecticut, using neighborhood-stratified, population-based sample (n = 1189; weighted represent neighborhoods, n 29 675). Exposure is pervasive these neighborhoods: 73% heard gunshots; many had family members or close friends hurt (29%) killed (18%) by violent acts. Although all respondents live differs race/ethnicity social class. Residents experienced significantly more than did White residents, particularly disparate increase among young Black men aged 18 34 years. While not ignoring societal costs horrific mass shootings, we must be clear that prevention means focusing on dual epidemic shootings