Is violence a disease? Situating violence prevention in public health policy and practice

Abstract The paper provides a review of some of the thoughts, ideas, and opinions that pervade the public health literature concerning how to classify or conceptualise violence. It is argued that violence transcends classic distinctions between communicable and non-communicable diseases, distinguish...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public health (London) 2014-11, Vol.128 (11), p.960-967
Main Authors: Williams, D.J, Donnelly, P.D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Classification
Concept Formation
Death
Disease
Disease - classification
Diseases
Globalization
Health Policy
Humans
Infectious Disease
Internal Medicine
Prevention
Public Health
Public Health Practice
Revolution
Social determinants
Social justice
Violence
Violence - prevention & control
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Summary:Abstract The paper provides a review of some of the thoughts, ideas, and opinions that pervade the public health literature concerning how to classify or conceptualise violence. It is argued that violence transcends classic distinctions between communicable and non-communicable diseases, distinguishes itself from the discipline of injury control, and is influenced by wider, social determinants. Through a discussion of these varied perspectives it is concluded that a fourth revolution in public health is needed – a ‘change in scope’ revolution – that recognizes the influence of social justice, economics, and globalization in the aetiology of premature death and ill health, into which violence fits. However, rather than be shackled by debates of definition or classification, it is important that public health acknowledges the role it can play in preventing violence through policy and practice, and takes unified action.
ISSN:0033-3506
1476-5616
DOI:10.1016/j.puhe.2014.09.010