Standardized Screening Boosts Firearm Safety for Pediatric Behavioral Health Patients

Publications

Pediatric emergency departments are making strides in firearm safety with a new EMR-based standardized screening and resource initiative – combining screening for unsafe storage practices with the provision of educational materials and a means of safe storage....

Why Black Americans Turned to Firearms During COVID

Publications

A new study led by Katie Hoskins finds that Black Americans’ pandemic-era gun purchases were fueled by fear of rising crime, racial tensions, and distrust in policing. For many, firearms symbolized protection and agency in uncertain times—even as ownership brought...

Mobilizing Social Media for Violence Prevention & Wellness Promotion

This research looks at how social media affects violence and healing in Philadelphia. Social media can make conflicts worse, but it can also help people connect, grieve, and recover. The goal is to find ways that violence prevention workers—especially those in...

What We Learned from Violence Prevention Professionals about Social Media

By conducting focus groups with violence prevention professionals in Philadelphia, researchers sought to understand what they’ve observed and recognized about the role of social media in real-life violence. This includes how social media can create or escalate...

New Framework Illuminates Strategies for Effective Community Violence Intervention Programs

Publications

New research from Sara Solomon offers a framework for implementing Cure Violence programs, highlighting key strategies and contextual factors that drive success. The review underscores the importance of integrating Implementation Science principles to enhance...

Penn Researchers Lead Public Health Approach to Preventing Youth Violence

News

Penn researchers and community partners are working to reframe violence prevention as a public health initiative, emphasizing connection and support for youth. A July 7 mass shooting in Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry neighborhood left three dead and 10 injured at a block...

Project Unloaded Empowers Communities to Change the Narrative on Guns and Violence

News

Project Unloaded is engaging directly with those most affected to shape the future of emerging technologies. Desmond Upton Patton highlights the project’s commitment to understanding community needs and preferences. Discover how this initiative is driving...

Christen J. Rexing, PhD, MPH

Dr. Christen Rexing, PhD, MPH is the Executive Director for the Society for Advancement of Violence and Injury Research (SAVIR), a professional organization that provides leadership and fosters excellence in the science of violence and injury prevention and care. Dr....

Cheryl Bettigole, MD, MPH, MA

Dr. Cheryl Bettigole served as the Health Commissioner for the City of Philadelphia from 2021-2024 and recently joined the University of Pennsylvania as a Professor of Clinical Family Medicine and Community Health. At Penn, she is working on developing collaborative...

Anish K. Agarwal, MD, MPH, MS

Anish Agarwal, MD, MPH, MS is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. His research interests lay at the intersection of emergency care, digital health, and workforce well-being.  Dr. Agarwal’s work has been published in JAMA,...