Newsletters

In this issue: At the heart of our work are the victims, survivors, and communities whose lives have been irrevocably changed by firearm violence. We believe that everyone has the fundamental right to live in communities that foster justice, safety, and wellness. Our research, education initiatives, and collaborations are guided by our dedication to translating this work into thoughtful and meaningful practice and policy that prevents violence and supports survivors.

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In this issue: Greetings in 2024 from VPRP! We’ve compiled a research report to encapsulate our 2023 efforts. It's copied below for your convenience. Thank you for your continued partnership and support, and we look forward to the year ahead.

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In this issue: Our BulletPoints Project has a number of exciting updates to share! This month we hosted a half-day virtual Train the Trainer Workshop on Clinical Firearm Injury Prevention for over 40 medical and mental health educators to teach them how to incorporate firearm injury prevention into their clinical and didactic teaching. Keep an eye out for a repeat of this free continuing education event.

In this issue: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We know that better understanding risk factors for domestic violence helps to develop more effective prevention measures.  

In this issue: September is Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is devastating, and it has far-reaching effects that often impact entire communities. It is one of the most common acts of fatal violence and is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. Over 48,000 Americans died by suicide in 2021. According to the U.S.

In this issue: It’s that time of year when students everywhere are going back to school. In the spirit of education, why not take a few minutes to refresh your knowledge about safe practices for firearm storage? Only 1/3 of California gun owning households with children store their firearms in the most secure way: locked, unloaded, separate from ammunition, and with the keys and combinations inaccessible to unauthorized users.

In this issue: According to newly released provisional 2022 mortality data from CDC WONDER, the rate of firearm mortality fell by 1.5% from 2021 to 2022. A 6.5% drop in firearm homicide deaths is driving that decrease, despite a 2.5% jump in firearm suicides. The overall 1.5% decrease may appear modest, but it represents tragedies prevented and lives saved.

In this issue: On June 2nd, we commemorated National Gun Violence Awareness Day to honor the victims and survivors of gun violence. Here at VPRP, we honor them through action by developing knowledge and driving change for a safer, healthier, and more equitable future.

In this issue: When we talk about gun violence, we often focus on the acute physical wounds that bullets leave behind, yet the psychological trauma from gun violence persists, ever present for those who experience it. As national firearm-related death rates continue to rise, so does the burden on our collective mental health, especially for those who survive, witness, or lose someone to gun violence. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to call attention to these sometimes-hidden outcomes.

In this issue: National Public Health Week was celebrated the first week of April, and we always appreciate the opportunity to celebrate the role of public health in addressing some of our most pressing societal concerns. At VPRP, the public health approach for firearm violence prevention has been a core tenet of our organization and our work from the beginning and continues to guide our evolving research.