As part of National Public Health Week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) introduced its Gun Violence Prevention Platform to the public today during a news conference. As the host of a recent gun violence prevention summit, L.A. Care Health Plan participated in today’s event. Susan Stone, MD, MPH, L.A. Care Senior Medical Director, explained that gun violence is a public health issue and L.A. Care is taking a strong stance in support of gun safety. She shared her experience as an ER doctor witnessing the devastation of gun violence on so many families.
The county uses a public health approach in its platform, identifying priority areas and strategies that it will implement alongside a coalition of government and community partners, like L.A. Care. Among them, advocating for robust gun safety legislation, including the reinstatement of a federal ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines. Another strategy would be to promote social connections and a culture of peace.
Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, lead today’s event. She says strong gun regulations and other innovative solutions laid out in the county platform are necessary to address and prevent acts of violence, like the recent mass shooting in Monterey Park. Ferrer participated in L.A. Care’s gun violence prevention summit in December where she said, “the problem is complex, but complex problems are not a deterrent when people work together.”
The county’s Gun violence prevention platform was released today to kick off Public Health Week, a week that recognizes public health contributions and highlights issues that are important to improve community health.