Lessons Learned from 50 Years of Violence Prevention Activities in the African American Community

Purpose

This article covers violence prevention (homicide and suicide) activities in the African American community for nearly 50 years.

Method

Drawing on lived experience the works of early and recent efforts by African American physicians, the author illustrates we know a great deal about violence prevention in the African American community.

Results

There remains challenges of implementation and political will. Further, most physicians, like the public, are confused about the realities of homicide and suicide because of the two different presentations both are given in the media and scientific literature.

Conclusions

Responses to homicide and suicides should be based on science not distorted media reports. There are violence prevention principles that, if widely implemented, could stem the tide of violence.