Northwell Health Takes the Lead on Gun Violence Prevention to Drive Awareness and Education Nationally
In the first three months of 2023, more than 70 mass shootings have already occurred in the U.S. Gun violence is a public health crisis.
// By John Marzano //
The politics surrounding gun ownership and control are infinitely polarizing. Yet, one truth believed by all Americans is that the use of guns and other weapons to inflict mass casualties and destruction of human life has no place in a peaceful, civilized society. Especially when it pertains to our children — our future.
Michael Dowling, president & CEO of Northwell Health
“Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and adolescents,” said Michael Dowling, president & CEO of Northwell Health, kicking off this year’s Gun Violence Prevention Forum in February. Since 2019, Dowling has put himself and New York’s largest health system at the forefront of leading a coalition of more than 1,000 hospital and health system partners to raise broad awareness of the crisis of gun violence.
“The responsibility rests with all of us as decision-makers of our nation’s hospitals,” he says. “Changing the narrative on gun safety and pursuing solutions that make a meaningful difference is critical. By creating the right forum for important dialogue and using the right communication channels, we can lead reform and better protection of Americans.”
Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State
Governor Kathy Hochul joined Dowling and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, to address the importance of tackling the issue within communities and how lawmakers, health care professionals, and advocates can work together to make the biggest impact to curb gun violence.
“We are taking major steps in the right direction, but gun violence numbers are still too high,” says Governor Hochul. “Each and every incident is tragic, and each shooting represents an unquantifiable amount of pain and harm to victims and their communities.”
Here, we look at the awareness campaigns presented at the Forum, led by Northwell Health, the Ad Council, and others. These initiatives are helping to change the narrative.