Public health in action – Meeting the community needs

As part of National Public Health Awareness week, students and faculty from UNMC’s College of Public Health kicked-off the week with a public gathering in north Omaha to discuss community violence.

With increased numbers of shootings and other acts of violence in the Omaha community, the college is partnering with community members to understand risk factors for violence-related injuries and develop new interventions to prevent those injuries.

Several members of the Omaha community participated in Monday’s Public Health Week community breakfast at Big Mama’s Kitchen in north Omaha. Public health initiatives – including several aimed at curbing community violence – were discussed during the session.

“We can help find answers to some of the difficult questions, like, ‘What are the risk factors for violence?'” said Lina Lander, Sc.D., assistant professor in the college’s department of epidemiology. “We can start by looking at existing data to come up with targeted interventions that will be specific to Omaha.”

Faculty and students will analyze data from emergency departments and developing survey tools to gather information about youth violence. The results could help the community find new strategies for prevention.

Panelists at Monday’s meeting as well as community participants emphasized the importance of hope, positive role models and availability of jobs.

Community violence is a long-standing problem and the solution will require long-term commitment and engagement from the entire Omaha community, said College of Public Health Dean Ayman El-Mohandes, M.B.B.Ch., M.D., M.P.H.

“We realize change will not happen overnight,” said Anh Nguyen, president of the College of Public Health Student Association. “We will engage in the process and look for small steps that will bring about substantial change.”