If there was any doubt that violence affects us all, the events of last week were a harsh reminder for the Penn community.
Monday’s explosions at the Boston Marathon showed us how vulnerable we are during our most cherished events and celebrations. Wednesday, the School of Social Policy & Practice hosted an all-star line-up including retired astronaut Mark Kelly, husband of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, in a forum about gun violence. That same day, the U.S. Senate failed to take any action in response to the horrific mass shooting of children and educators in Newtown, Connecticut. And early Thursday morning, Don Ly, the beloved Vietnamese fruit salad vendor who set up with his wife and daughter at 34th and Walnut streets behind Meyerson Hall for a decade, was stabbed to death outside his South Philadelphia home as he prepared to come to campus. His warm smile and generosity will be deeply missed by the School of Design and the countless others who regularly patronized his truck. Acts of violence like this generate many preventable injuries and, sadly, deaths every single day in the City of Philadelphia. The physicians, nurses and public health researchers at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania know the faces of these tragedies all too well.
Violence is a major public health issue and affects us all in different ways. Penn is a world-class teaching and research institution, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, a leading health care provider and an integral part of the West Philadelphia community. As such, we must add our voices to those demanding that we value all lives by speaking out against violence in all of its forms. But we must do more. The best way to honor those whose lives are forever changed by violence is to become data-driven advocates to reduce violence in our communities.
The Center for Public Health Initiatives brings together researchers, clinicians, educators and advocates from across Penn and Philadelphia to develop interdisciplinary responses to the big public health challenges of our day. Join us as we find new ways to take action.
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