Enhanced Initiative Dubbed to Prioritize Firearm Safety under the Health and Safety Spectrum
The Firearm Injury Prevention Program (FIPP) at UR Medicine is taking a comprehensive approach to reduce firearm-related injuries and deaths, collaborating extensively with various entities to address this pressing public health concern.
At the heart of FIPP's strategy is the Hospital-Based Violence Intervention, which utilises healthcare settings, particularly emergency departments, as critical intervention points. Patients treated for assault-related injuries, including firearm injuries, are connected to community services such as physical and mental health care, housing, job training, and legal aid. This holistic approach aims to break the cycle of violence by addressing underlying social determinants and promoting positive behavioral changes.
Education and Counseling are also key components of FIPP's approach. The program incorporates counseling sessions for youth with recent histories of fighting or violence, focusing on enhancing problem recognition, conflict resolution skills, violence avoidance, and safety behaviours. This model is based on evidenced-based programs like SafERteens, which have shown effectiveness in reducing youth violence and firearm injuries.
FIPP also works in concert with national public health agencies such as the CDC and NIH, which provide funding and research support, as well as academic partnerships to develop, test, and implement prevention strategies within clinical settings.
Community and Clinical Education is another vital aspect of FIPP's strategy. The program educates healthcare providers and families on the importance of safe firearm storage and injury prevention, thereby fostering preventive practices in pediatric and adult populations.
Corey Nichols-Hadeed, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and FIPP co-director, believes that a majority of the public considers firearm safety and responsible ownership as important. Public education about safe firearm storage, responsible ownership conversations, and safe removal of unwanted firearms is part of FIPP's strategy.
To raise awareness, FIPP will participate in National Gun Violence Awareness Month events in June, including National Wear Orange Day. They will also promote firearm safety and violence prevention through various public awareness days and celebrations, such as Suicide Prevention month (September) and World Alzheimer's Awareness Month (October).
In collaboration with agencies like Pathways to Peace, SNUG, and Rise Up Rochester focusing on community violence prevention, FIPP will develop training and tools for health care providers to discuss firearm safety with patients and family members. They will also collaborate with local community groups and school districts to provide resources on reducing firearm-related risk.
Firearm incidents are the leading cause of death among children in New York State and the nation, and a leading cause of injury-related death among adults. FIPP seeks to bring people from all backgrounds together to encourage safe storage of firearms, which could save lives. The program is supported by the faculty and staff expertise from the Departments of Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, and Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Dr. Jennifer West, Associate Professor of Psychiatry (Psychology) and Pediatrics, and co-director of FIPP, emphasises the importance of providing simple and accessible tools for firearm safety conversations. FIPP aims to capitalise on common ground recognising the urgency of this public health concern and the importance of addressing firearm safety.
Research by Michael Vella, MD, MBA, shows that firearm injury survivors often face long-term consequences affecting mental health, social, and emotional outcomes. By addressing this issue through multiple strategies, FIPP hopes to make a significant impact in reducing firearm-related injuries and deaths.
- The Firearm Injury Prevention Program (FIPP) at UR Medicine focuses on reducing firearm-related injuries and deaths.
- Hospital-Based Violence Intervention is a key strategy used by FIPP, utilizing healthcare settings to address assault-related injuries.
- Patients treated for firearm injuries are connected to community services like physical and mental health care, housing, job training, and legal aid.
- The holistic approach aims to break the cycle of violence by addressing underlying social determinants and promoting positive behavioral changes.
- Education and Counseling are vital components of FIPP's strategy, focusing on enhancing problem recognition, conflict resolution skills, and safety behaviors.
- FIPP collaborates with national public health agencies like the CDC and NIH for funding, research support, and academic partnerships.
- Community and Clinical Education is another important aspect, educating healthcare providers and families on safe firearm storage and injury prevention.
- Corey Nichols-Hadeed, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and FIPP co-director, stresses the importance of public education about safe firearm storage.
- FIPP will participate in National Gun Violence Awareness Month events, including National Wear Orange Day.
- They will promote firearm safety and violence prevention through various public awareness days and celebrations.
- FIPP collaborates with agencies focusing on community violence prevention to develop training and tools for health care providers.
- Firearm incidents are the leading cause of death among children in New York State and the nation.
- FIPP seeks to bring people together to encourage safe storage of firearms, which could save lives.
- The program is supported by the faculty and staff expertise from the Departments of Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, and Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
- Dr. Jennifer West, Associate Professor of Psychiatry (Psychology) and Pediatrics, emphasizes the need for simple and accessible tools for firearm safety conversations.
- Research shows that firearm injury survivors often face long-term consequences affecting mental health, social, and emotional outcomes.
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