A Primer for Developing Violence Intervention Programs in Trauma Centers

Interpersonal injuries remain a leading cause of death and injury in the US, disproportionately affecting minority populations. Using the public health model to reduce reinjury, which entails identifying and addressing underlying risk factors for injury, is crucial to closing the revolving door of interpersonal injuries. This risk factor assessment should ideally be done in a timely manner and trauma centers can play a critical role in doing so. Wraparound's Founding Director Dr. Rochelle Dicker contributed to a primer for developing a Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP) for trauma centers. This primer which was overseen by the American College of Surgeons and published in its bulletin, highlights the benefits of HVIPs and serves as an important step to increasing violence prevention efforts nationwide.