James Mercy, Ph.D., acting director of the division of violence prevention, Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, will speak on campus from noon to 1 p.m. today at the Maurer Center for Public Health, Room 3013.
Dr. Mercy will discuss “Having New Eyes: Viewing Violence as a Public Health Problem.”
The objective of the presentation will be to:
- describe the magnitude and nature of violence against children in the U.S.
- share the range of mental and physical health consequences of exposure to violence against children.
- discuss policy and programmatic actions needed to prevent violence against children.
He also will speak at a community forum from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Maurer Center for Public Health, Room 1001.
Dr. Mercy received his Ph.D. in sociology from Emory University in Atlanta in 1982. After his graduation, he began working at CDC as an epidemic intelligence service officer in a newly formed activity to examine violence as a public health problem. Over the past three decades he has helped to develop the public health approach to violence.
A frequently published author with more than 200 publications, Dr. Mercy’s work has spanned the areas of child maltreatment, youth and intimate partner violence, homicide, suicide, and firearm injuries. He also served as a co-editor of the World Report on Violence and Health prepared by the World Health Organization and served on the Editorial Board of the United Nation’s Secretary General’s Study of Violence Against Children.
Most recently he’s been working on a global partnership, called Together for Girls, with UNICEF, PEPFAR, WHO, and others to end violence against children.
During his UNMC visit, Dr. Mercy also will meet with the leadership team, staff and advisory board of the Center for Reducing Health Disparities, as well as meet with campus and community leaders.
Both presentations are free and open to the UNMC campus.
Is this presentation being recorded?