NACCHO Injury and Violence

Prevention Newsletter
News, Resources, and Events for Local Health Departments

 

July 2013


In This Issue
Youth Homicide Reached 30-Year Low in 2010
National Drug Facts Week 2014 is January 27 to February 2
HHS Issues New Guidance for Children and Families who have Experienced Trauma
Vital Signs: Deaths from Prescription Overdoses Rise Sharply Among Women
Webinar: Using and Understanding Suicide data from NVDRS
Webinar: Policy Evaluation: Violence Prevention
Webinar: What is a Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) & How it Can Serve You and Your Constituents
Primary Care Interventions to Prevent Child Maltreatment
Webinar: Improving Suicide Prevention for the Military and Their Families
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Youth Homicide Reached 30-Year Low in 2010         

The homicide rate for youth, ages 10 to 24, in the U.S. reached a 30-year low in 2010, according to a new CDC report released last week. The report also shows that the promising decline in youth homicide rates has slowed in recent years, particularly for groups at high-risk for violence. Even with the progress that has been made, homicide ranks in the top three leading causes of death for young Americans. It also results in an estimated $9 billion in lost productivity and medical costs each year. Click here to read the full report.

National Drug Facts Week 2014 is January 27 to February 2        

NACCHO supports National Drug Facts Week and encourages you to work with local youth leaders, school wellness programs, and prevention coalitions to organize an educational event or activity for teens that delivers real, factual information about drugs and drug abuse. There are a number of ways to get involved. Share this information with your networks and encourage their participation or register to organize an educational event or activity for youth during NDFW. To help you plan, NIDA provides a step-by-step toolkit, which includes a list of suggested activities, and a free drug facts booklet, which you can distribute at your event. For more information, contact Brian Marquis at [email protected].

HHS Issues New Guidance for Children and Families who have Experienced Trauma 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued new guidance to improve the well-being of children and families who have experienced trauma. This guidance letter is intended to encourage the integrated use of trauma-focused screening, functional assessments, and evidence-based practices in child-serving settings for the purpose of improving child well-being. Click here to read the letter.

Vital Signs: Deaths from Prescription Overdoses Rises Sharply Among Women          

Prescription drug overdose deaths in women have skyrocketed. Previous research has shown that women are more likely to have chronic pain, be prescribed prescription painkillers, be given higher doses, and use them for longer time periods than men. Click here to learn steps that women can take to help stay safe from prescription painkiller overdoses. To read the related MMWR, click here.

Webinar: Using and Understanding Suicide data from NVDRS    

More than 38,000 people died from suicide in the United States in 2010. In any given year there are generally a third more suicides than homicides, yet public perspective and media attention makes it seem that there are far more homicides. Created in 2002, the NVDRS is a surveillance system, currently in 18 states, that collects data on violent deaths including details about the circumstances of the deaths.  Join the Safe States Alliance's NVDRS Special Interest Group on July 18, 2:00pm - 3:30pm Eastern Time, to learn about using and understanding suicide data from NVDRS. Click here to register.

Webinar: Policy Evaluation: Violence Prevention 

Whether it's an administrative policy, state law, or local ordinance, passing and implementing a policy is just the beginning. The next step is policy evaluation: determining whether a policy has achieved its intended objectives, understanding what effects can be attributed to the policy, and identifying whether any changes to the policy are needed. This webinar will be held on July 23, 2:00pm - 3:30pm Eastern Time. Click here to register.

Webinar: What is a Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) & How it Can Serve You and Your Constituents 

Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) are a FREE health resource on children's environmental health for the constituents in your region.  PEHSU centers are established for each federal region of the United States, providing academic and credible information on environmental health issues.  Presented by the Mid-Atlantic Center for Children's Health and the Environment, this webinar, held July 25, 1:00pm - 2:00pm Eastern Time, will provide participants with an overview of the PEHSU network, services, examples of patient case studies, and ideas for collaboration. Click here to register.

Primary Care Interventions to Prevent Child Maltreatment 

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released its final Recommendation Statement on primary care interventions to prevent child maltreatment. A fact sheet that explains the final recommendation in plain language is also available. Click here to read the Recommendation Statement.

Webinar: Improving Suicide Prevention for the Military and Their Families     

Join SAMHSA on July 30, 2:00pm - 3:30pm for a webinar on the risk factors of suicide associated with service members, veterans, and their families. Resources and strategies to help those in crisis will be discussed. The webinar will also include a review of a comprehensive suicide prevention plan and offer examples of what states, communities, and organizations are doing to reduce suicide among military personnel. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations. Click here to register. 

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