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Firearm-Related Violence in Brazil

Author(s)

Maria Fernanda Tourinho Peres , University of São Paulo .

Research Project

Understanding the Impact of Small Arms on Global Public Health

> see the project description

Keywords

Brazil - Developing Countries - Mortality - Violence - Weapons

Abstract

This report provides a summary of the major findings and conclusions of a research effort to create a comprehensive profile of firearm-related violence in Brazil. The research was undertaken and coordinated by the Centre for the Study of Violence at the University of São Paulo, and received technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Small Arms Survey (SAS).

The WHO has drawn attention to the fact that violence is a major global public health problem through a variety of World Health Assembly resolutions and comprehensive reports such as the World report on violence and health. The statement that violence is a public health problem may not, at first view, be easily understandable. In Brazil, as in many other countries around the world, violence is traditionally approached almost exclusively as a public security problem, with major responses focused on police action and judicial mechanisms. However, this view is beginning to change, and there is increasing recognition of the role of the public health sector and perspective in preventing violence. A public health approach to violence promotes analysis of the distribution of violence and it's determinants, and advocates drawing from this analysis coherent preventive strategies which involve a variety of sectors, including the health sector. This does not mean that violence should be viewed only as a health problem, but that it is important to consider the effects of violence on public health and the potential contributions for preventing violence that can be made through the public health sector. In sum, a public health approach to violence advocates understanding violence through the study of its social determinants, knowing its frequency and distribution in population groups, identifying its risk factors, proposing preventive measures and evaluating and monitoring preventive actions.

File(s)

Violência por armas de fogo no Brasil. Relatório Nacional
Portuguese | [2127 ko] > download
Mortalidade por armas de fogo no Brasil 1991-2000
Portuguese | [740 ko] > download
Firearm-Related Violence in Brazil
English | [2164 ko] > download
Summary Report: Firearm-Related Violence in Brazil
English | [1585 ko] > download