History
Urban firearm violence is a public health problem plaguing cities across the nation; Delaware is not immune. In 2013, Wilmington experienced127 shootings resulting in 154 victims.
Recognizing Wilmington's public health crisis of gun violence, especially among youth, required a public health approach to intervention and prevention City Council President Hanifa Shabazz, then serving as councilwoman, proposed a City resolution requesting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assist the City in an investigation of gun violence and provide recommendations for preventative action.
The CDC accepted the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services' (DHSS) formal invitation and sent scientists to the City to collect necessary data and conduct an extensive analysis. In March 2015, the CDC provided initial findings and three primary recommendations:
• Reach agreement on data sharing
• Connect data systems to identify potential recipients of targeted services
• Establish a Community Advisory Council
In November 2015, the DHSS released the final CDC report, "Elevated Rates of Urban Firearm Violence and Opportunities for Prevention," which looked at gun violence from a public health and social services perspective.
In alignment with the CDC recommendations, DHSS created the CDC Community Advisory Council to:
• Share information on evidence-based and promising practices in services
• Provide recommendations on services
• Engage service providers and community stakeholders in forming recommendations
For more information, read "Accelerating Youth Violence Prevention and Positive Development."
Urban firearm violence is a public health problem plaguing cities across the nation; Delaware is not immune. In 2013, Wilmington experienced127 shootings resulting in 154 victims.
Recognizing Wilmington's public health crisis of gun violence, especially among youth, required a public health approach to intervention and prevention City Council President Hanifa Shabazz, then serving as councilwoman, proposed a City resolution requesting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assist the City in an investigation of gun violence and provide recommendations for preventative action.
The CDC accepted the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services' (DHSS) formal invitation and sent scientists to the City to collect necessary data and conduct an extensive analysis. In March 2015, the CDC provided initial findings and three primary recommendations:
• Reach agreement on data sharing
• Connect data systems to identify potential recipients of targeted services
• Establish a Community Advisory Council
In November 2015, the DHSS released the final CDC report, "Elevated Rates of Urban Firearm Violence and Opportunities for Prevention," which looked at gun violence from a public health and social services perspective.
In alignment with the CDC recommendations, DHSS created the CDC Community Advisory Council to:
• Share information on evidence-based and promising practices in services
• Provide recommendations on services
• Engage service providers and community stakeholders in forming recommendations
For more information, read "Accelerating Youth Violence Prevention and Positive Development."