Violence Prevention Video by Dr. Rodney Hammond

Dr. Rodney Hammond
Director, Division of Violence Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Violence is an unfortunate part of our daily life. We can hardly turn on the television without seeing sobering reports of child abuse, shootings, or domestic disputes ending with murder.  For many Americans, violence hits even closer to home. It devastates our families, our friends, and our communities. 

Each year, about 50,000 people in this country are murdered or die by suicide. Thousands of others seek medical care for violence-related injuries. Some of these injuries are visible, such as cuts, bruises, and broken bones. Other injuries are not so easily seen. Violence can leave behind fear, constant worry, and an overwhelming sense of sadness. It sometimes undermines victims’ sense of self-worth and makes it difficult for them to connect on an emotional level with family and friends. 

The good news is that violence is a problem with a solution. We know that violence can be prevented by using a thoughtful and systematic approach. While the field of violence prevention is still developing, our knowledge of “what works” increases every day. 

Since the early 1980s, CDC has approached violence as a public health issue. Our niche is primary prevention—stopping violence before it occurs. We monitor patterns of violence throughout the United States. We conduct research to identify what factors put people at risk for violence.  Using this knowledge, we evaluate prevention strategies. When we find things that work, we help people use the strategies in their own communities. 

Thank you for visiting CDC’s Web page on violence prevention, I’m glad you’re here. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to look around and see the exciting work that is going on. We hope that you’ll join us in the effort to improve the quality of life of people by preventing violence.  Thank you.