Emory Center for Injury Control: Vision and priorities for reducing violence and injuries in vulnerable populations across the lifespan through interdisciplinary collaborations and comprehensive evaluation

Background: Although injuries affect all populations, certain groups – children under age five, older adults, racial and ethnic minority populations, and people of low socioeconomic status – are more vulnerable to its effects. Methods: The Emory Center for Injury Control (ECIC) established a consortium that includes leaders from nine public and private universities, including historically black colleges, several community-based organizations and two state agencies to reduce the burden of injury among highly vulnerable populations. ECIC's diverse faculty hold leadership positions within the ECIC Core, chair and serve on committees that guide the ECIC's mission and activities, and provide scientific input and content expertise in their respective disciplines. In order to demonstrate the true impact of this approach, the ECIC has developed a comprehensive evaluation plan that includes both process and outcome measures. Results/Outcomes: Examples of successful interdisciplinary activities include: outreach to local emergency departments to screen patients for mental health symptoms and exposure to intimate partner violence, and collaboration with the Georgia Child Fatality Review Panel to evaluate its processes and identify risk factors for death among children in state custody. Additionally, the ECIC has used its collaborations and network to serve as a connector for researchers and practitioners across the injury community. Conclusions: Since receiving funding from the CDC, the ECIC has garnered support and collaborative partnerships through research and practice that will likely yield an impact on the community it serves. Moreover, the ECIC continuously evaluates its efforts and outreach to assess impact and determine future strategies.