“Highlighting Violence Prevention Efforts Implemented Through Public Health Infrastructure” is a three-part webinar series. The three webinars are Part 1: Public Health Leadership for Violence Prevention; Part 2: Highlighting Public Health Contributions to Violence Prevention at the Local, State, and National Levels; and Part 3: Preventing Violence is Critical to Our Nation’s Health: A Facilitated Discussion with Public Health Leaders

This webinar is Part 1: Public Health Leadership for Violence Prevention. From infants to the elderly, violence affects people in every stage of life. Each year, more than 50,000 violence-related deaths are reported in the United States. The number of violent deaths tells only part of the story. Many more survive violence and are left with permanent physical and emotional scars. Violence also erodes communities by reducing productivity, decreasing property values, and disrupting social services.

This webinar series has been developed to showcase violence prevention efforts implemented through public health infrastructure. The goal of this series is to highlight the importance of violence prevention as a public health priority. During the first webinar, participants have the opportunity to hear from public health leaders from across the country as they discuss the important role that public health agencies play in improving the health of communities by preventing violence. This session will:

* Emphasize violence prevention and its relationship to other public health issues

* Highlight violence prevention efforts within state and local health systems

* Describe the need for public health infrastructure and partnership engagement

Featured speakers include: Dr. Judy Monroe – Deputy Director, Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support, CDC Dr. Paul Halverson – 2010 President, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) Carol Moehrle – 2011 President, National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Dr. Georges Benjamin – Executive Director, American Public Health Association (APHA) Amber Williams – Executive Director, Safe States Alliance The webinar is facilitated by Dr. Rodney Hammond, Director, Division of Violence Prevention, CDC.

Continuing education credits are offered for this training for Safe States members. These include credits for individuals who are Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Certified in Public Health (CPH).