273416 Mental Health, Violence and Injury Prevention

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Maria Teresa Cerqueira, PhD , Unit of Health Settings, Area of Sustainable Development and Environmental Health, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Washington, DC, DC
Violence and injuries are among the leading cause of mortality in the world. They are among the most significant public health problems in the world affecting particularly young men, in many cases resulting in life-long physical disabilities as well as psychological effects. Violence and injury prevention is on the public health agenda and countries with increasing violence struggle to implement strategies to prevent violence and address its impact on health and development. Violence is a social and health problem that threatens the development of communities and nations, undermines the quality of life, and erodes the social fabric. On the U.S. Mexico Border violence and injuries are of major concern. PAHO's work in violence and injury prevention including gender violence, intentional and unintentional injuries in Ciudad Juarez and other U.S. Mexico Border communities will be presented: (a) the Juarez Observatory for Security and Citizen Conviviality improving information systems, expanding the use of geographic information systems and supporting epidemiologic analysis; (b) municipal government implement plans or programs to build institutional and community capacity; (c) strengthening the health sector response, incorporating mental health in primary care for the victims of violence; (d) strengthening research and building evidence based public policy, and (e) documenting and sharing results and experiences.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the concept of human security and the relationship with public health 2. Analyze the strategies to prevent violence and injuries along the US-MX border 3. Assess the Observatory for Citizen Security and Conviviality of Ciudad Juarez 4. Describe the strengthening of mental health in primary health care and services to victims of violence

Keywords: Mental Health, Violence Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am in charge of the management and technical leadership of the PAHO/WHO US-Mexico Border Office.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3110.0: Border Health - PAHO