Presenting Author: Samantha Joseph, MPH, DrPh(c), Drexel University Urban Health Collaborative

ABSTRACT

Background: Exposure to violence in the United States is a major public health issue. This project utilizes a systematic approach to seek and integrate data that can be used to describe community-level violence disparities, risk factors, consequences, and assets of a Latino community in Philadelphia.

Objectives: To develop a community violence profile to share broadly with community members, leaders, and violence stakeholders city-wide to raise awareness of the extent of the disparities and potential solutions.

Methods: A need and asset assessment was conducted to serve as a mechanism for community empowerment and capacity-building among violence stakeholders. Data collection methods included: 1) Asset inventory; 2) Key informant interviews and focus groups; 3) Integration/analysis of traditional and nontraditional violence data sources; and 4) Development of a print and Web-based, open platform community violence profile.

Results: The community violence profile has been used to increase awareness of violence disparities, recognize and foster existing community assets, and enhance collective efficacy to create and implement locally-informed solutions to community violence.

Conclusion: This project integrated a variety of data sources, geospatial and data dashboard technology, and community-engaged conversations to guide actionable solutions in communities experiencing violence or other severe and persistent disparities. Lessons learned include creating effective stakeholder feedback mechanisms and framing asset-oriented solutions.

Implications: The community and academic partnership allowed for co-learning opportunities regarding violence in this urban community, while using resulting evidence to strategically raise awareness and promote engagement of stakeholders and understanding their levels of influence.

Authors: Samantha Joseph, MPH, DrPh(c); Amy Carroll-Scott, PhD, MPH; Stephanie Sestito, MPH; and Briana Gibson.