Dr. Emmy Betz explains the public health approach as a four-step cycle that starts with analyzing data to understand who is being injured or killed and why. This involves identifying if the harm is coming from suicide, mass shootings, or youth violence in the community. The next step is to pinpoint strategies that can prevent these injuries and deaths. It’s important to recognize that what works in one location may not work in another, so interventions must be tailored to specific communities.
The public health approach also involves implementing effective strategies on a larger scale. This means taking successful programs and expanding them to reach more people. The goal is to increase the impact of these interventions and reduce harm in a more widespread manner. By utilizing this approach, we can address the gaps in knowledge and determine where funding should be allocated. It’s recognized that solving complex issues like violence will require a variety of solutions, but the public health framework provides a systematic way to approach the problem.
