Hard Data - Gun Violence From a Scientific Perspective

What can we do better to prevent gun violence in our communities? Start by collecting more diverse data, according to Daniel Webster, a Bloomberg Professor of American Health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. In this episode of Hard Data, Dr. Webster highlights some gaps in knowledge when it comes to understanding gun violence. He also suggests ways to improve relations between communities and law enforcement — as well as those between researchers and community members.

This episode of Hard Data highlights Extreme Risk Protection Orders, a promising new resource for communities and law enforcement agencies in several states. Dr. Shannon Frattaroli, associate professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, discusses the history and ongoing evolution of these targeted interventions designed to keep firearms away from people in crises. Temporary injunctions have the potential to prevent homicides and suicides, she says, but we need to take a science- and evidence-based approach to implement them effectively and appropriately. 

In this episode of Hard Data, Dr. Vanya Jones, associate professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, describes some of the unique issues facing children and adolescents today. She explains how the COVID-19 pandemic has made their lives much more difficult, while highlighting the vital importance of mentors and role models. She also discusses the science behind effective mentorship programs.

Dr. Maryann Mason joins the podcast to discuss how data is being collected to inform public health decision making in Illinois on issues ranging from COVID-19 and violent death prevention to the opioid epidemic. 

Paul Bonta, Director of Government Relations for the Safe States Alliance joins the podcast to discuss how data is used to educate policymakers to make informed decisions on health care policy. 

Dr. Ayanna Bucnker, MD, MPH is the Principal of Community Health Cooperative joins the podcast to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on under-served communities and how systemic racism amplifies disparities in care. 

Dr. Michael Brumage, the Medical Director of Cabin Creek Health Systems in Charleston West Virginia and the Director of the West Virginia University Preventive Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Brumage joins the podcast to discuss the state of rural healthcare and how he's using data to identify significant disparities in care, especially as it pertains to pandemic readiness.

Dr. Sabrina Brown, assistant professor in the department of epidemiology college of public health at the University of Kentucky has been working with the National Violent Death Reporting System Since 2002. In this episode of Hard Data, she shares how the state has implemented the system and is using the data provided to drive policy decisions.

In this episode of Hard Data, From Evidence to Action, we interview Stephanie Zaza, MD, MPH, President of the American College of Preventive Medicine, who shares her perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has further revealed and exacerbated racial disparities in care delivery. 

In this episode of Hard Data, From Evidence to Action, we interview Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., President of the American Association of Suicidology, who shares his personal perspective on how healthcare data can augment the ability of frontline caregivers and healthcare professionals, in addition to informing good policy.