PISC Publications and News Features
In a recent perspective piece, Vivek Ashok and colleagues highlight the significance of a new White House executive order enabling state Medicaid programs to reimburse health care providers for counseling on secure firearm storage.
With firearm injuries now the leading cause of death among children in the U.S., this policy offers a critical opportunity to address preventable tragedies. Research shows that even modest improvements in firearm storage could prevent hundreds of injuries and deaths annually. Medicaid reimbursement not only supports lifesaving counseling but also reduces the financial burden of firearm injuries, which cost taxpayers billions each year.
The Safe Path program, a collaboration between the Philadelphia School District and the Penn Injury Science Center (PISC), aims to enhance school and community safety during dismissals. Led by Bernadette Hohl from PISC and supported by Anthony Singleton of Educators 4 Education (E4E), the program places trusted adults as Safe Path monitors to promote positive engagement and address conflicts.
Safe Path currently operates at several Philadelphia high schools, providing critical support to students and fostering safer communities. Inspired by Chicago’s Safe Passage initiative, the program has shown promising results and plans to expand further.
Learn more about E4E and the Safe Path program in the Southwest Globe Times.
Sunny Jackson, part of the Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program, led a team distributing free gun safes and locks at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine. The initiative, part of Penn’s efforts to reduce firearm injuries, aims to keep guns away from children while meeting gun owners’ needs for safe and accessible storage.
The program has already provided over 60 gun locks and 21 safes, with more available through mail orders for Philadelphia residents. Secure firearm storage saves lives by preventing accidental shootings and reducing risks of suicide. Read more.
The work of Gina South, Nicole Thomas, and colleagues is featured on the cover story of the fall/winter 2024 issue of Penn Medicine magazine. In transformative efforts to address structural drivers of health disparities, the work highlights the link between environmental interventions—like greening vacant lots—and reductions in violence and health disparities. Initiatives such as Deeply Rooted and Lift Every Voice foster community partnership and address systemic inequities.
Read the full article: Health, Greenery, and Justice for All.
The Young Chances Foundation, founded by Tyrique Glasgow of the Penn Injury Science Center’s Community Action Board, was selected as a beneficiary of the Assists for Safe Communities program. For each assist during the 76ers season, $76 will be donated to support grassroots violence prevention programs, including Young Chances’ critical work in Philadelphia.
Learn more about this initiative: In-Game Assists Turn to Violence Prevention Dollars.
The executive director of PHILLY TRUCE, a community partner of the Penn Community Violence Prevention program, wrote an op-ed on their program’s success in reducing gun violence and the lack of recognition and support that is all too common for community-based organizations.
In an op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Anish Agarwal and Jane Muir spotlight the growing violence faced by ER nurses and physicians, stressing the urgent need for zero-tolerance policies in health-care settings. They advocate for federal legislation and stronger support for healthcare workers’ mental health and safety. Agarwal and Muir will be presenting at this year’s Incubator, sharing insights on enhancing protections for frontline workers.
Through the NW Philly TAP program, Siani Butler and The Nonprofit Center at La Salle University are helping local organizations collaborate against gun violence. Partnering with the Penn Injury Science Center and funded by the CDC, the program provides community organizations with resources, consulting, and a support network to amplify their impact. This initiative fosters community-driven solutions, aiming to make neighborhoods safer. Read more.
Researchers from Penn partnered with North10 to design and test a cooling shelter prototype in Hunting Park, addressing the severe heat caused by “heat islands.” Led by Sara Jacoby, the team created a solar-powered, open-air shelter offering shade and radiant cooling. “This collaboration shows how technology and community engagement can improve public health,” Jacoby said. Community feedback will shape future improvements. Read more.
A program led by the School District of Philadelphia is partnering with the Penn Community Violence Prevention program to reduce gun violence at John Bartram High School. Supported by OJJDP, the initiative will include crisis intervention, case management, and mediation. “The goal is to help students transition to positive lifestyles,” said Denise Johnson. More services include counseling, academic support, and employment assistance. Read more.
Research led by Jeff Ebert, Kit Delgado, Kate McDonald, and colleagues has revealed a promising approach to reducing distracted driving. By combining motivation, positive reinforcement, and financial incentives in a competitive game format, the study achieved a 28% reduction in phone use while driving. The results suggest that gamified strategies could help make roads safer by encouraging drivers to adopt better habits. Read more about this innovative approach here.
The Northwest Philadelphia Technical Assistance Program (NW Philly TAP), a human-centered design initiative, brought together nonprofits focused on community safety and well-being in Northwest Philadelphia. Led by Sara Solomon, Andrew Belfiglio, and Isabella Ntigbu from the Penn Injury Science Center, along with Kara Wentworth, Siani Butler, Caitlin Taylor and their colleagues at the Nonprofit Center at La Salle, the program aimed to enhance technical skills and capacity-building. Learn more about the program’s impact and future directions here.