Dr. Gary Slutkin is a physician and epidemiologist renowned for his innovative approach to violence intervention and prevention. As the founder and CEO of Cure Violence Global, he developed a public health model that treats violence as an infectious disease, aiming to interrupt its transmission and promote healthier social norms.
The Problem
Violence, particularly in urban settings, often spreads through social networks, with individuals adopting violent behaviors by observing and interacting with others who exhibit such actions. This contagion effect leads to cycles of violence that are self-perpetuating, making traditional punitive measures insufficient in addressing the root causes.
The Solution
Cure Violence applies epidemiological intervention and disease control methods to break the cycle of violence. The program focuses on detecting and interrupting violent behaviors, identifying and treating high-risk individuals, and changing social norms that condone violence. By training community members as "credible messengers," Cure Violence fosters trust and effectively disseminates messages promoting non-violence. Evaluations have demonstrated significant reductions in violence in various cities, including decreases in shootings and killings by up to 73% in Chicago and 45% in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
The Motivation
Dr. Slutkin's motivation stems from his extensive experience in public health, including his 20 year tenure with the World Health Organization, where he worked on reversing epidemics of infectious disease such as AIDS and tuberculosis around the world. But when he returned back to the states, he was shocked at the level of gun violence across the country, especially in his hometown of Chicago. So, he applied the same data mapping tools he would use to track infectious disease, and he realized that gun violence moved and spread exactly like an infectious disease. So adopted the same multidisciplinary interventions he would use for more traditional diseases, and applied it to one of the most violent cities in his hometown of Chicago, through his organization called Cure Violence, reducing gun violence by 67% in the first year. The efficacy of epidemiological methods to disrupt health crises proved to be equally true in combatting violence. His commitment to innovative, evidence-based approaches drives his dedication to transforming communities affected by violence.
The Lessons
The Cure Violence model underscores the efficacy of viewing violence through a public health lens. It highlights that, like infectious diseases, violent behaviors can be interrupted and prevented through targeted interventions and behavior change. The approach also emphasizes the importance of community involvement, particularly utilizing individuals who have credibility within high-risk populations to influence change. Additionally, the model demonstrates that altering social norms and perceptions can lead to sustainable reductions in violence, offering a paradigm shift from punitive responses to proactive, health-oriented solutions.
Conclusion
Dr. Gary Slutkin's Cure Violence initiative exemplifies how the creative application of one field can produce groundbreaking innovations in another. In this case, Gary leverages multidisciplinary public health strategies to address complex social issues. By treating violence as a contagious phenomenon, the program offers a promising framework for creating safer, healthier communities worldwide.