Although recent statistics have indicated that deaths due to violence are declining, it continues to be a pervasive issue in the US. In 1992 the Surgeon General and the President of the United States acknowledged violence as a major public health concern. While the number of professionals and programs in violence prevention has grown, very little education has been provided in this area. Of note is the current lack of violence prevention coursework in public health curricula in a majority of the nation's Schools of Public Health. One exception is UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health Course: Violence Prevention: Community Based Public Health. Since its inception seven years ago, the class and a multi-disciplinary one based at Harvard School of Public Health, have served as a national model.
The following will be presented: a summary of the overall conceptual approach of the class; elements of the curriculum including strategies for policy development; the unique role of community organizations as key partners and presenters; and qualitative and quantitative survey results. In addition, how the course has served as an important catalyst for national training of trainers and distance learning efforts will be described.
Participants of this session will be able to recognize the importance of 1) adequate training for the new cadre of professionals and practitioners entering the field of violence prevention 2) and a comprehensive approach to prevention with an emphasis on policy in order to develop effective violence prevention strategies.
Learning Objectives: Participants of this session will be able to recognize the importance of 1) adequate training for the new cadre of professionals and practitioners entering the field of violence prevention 2) and a comprehensive approach to prevention with an emphasis on policy in order to develop effective violence prevention strategies
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.