Bridging Gaps and Healing Wounds: Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs and Research Collaborations in Minneapolis

• In Event: Gun Violence and Homicide in the United States: Collaborative, Mixed-methods Approaches

Abstract

This study explores the critical intersection of healthcare and criminal justice through an examination of homicide victims and perpetrators’ prior contacts with major medical systems in the Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our research delves into the effectiveness of Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs) as a pivotal point for both intervention and prevention strategies within the healthcare framework. By analyzing data from medical records, law enforcement reports, and HVIP case studies, we identify patterns and characteristics of those impacted by gun violence, focusing on their interactions with the healthcare system before the incident. Preliminary findings reveal a significant number of individuals had previous engagements with medical facilities, underscoring missed opportunities for violence intervention. Furthermore, we evaluate the existing collaborations between health systems and criminological researchers, proposing a model for enhanced partnership. This model emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, combining clinical care with social services and law enforcement efforts, to effectively address the root causes of gun violence. Through this study, we aim to contribute valuable insights into how health systems can play a more proactive role in violence prevention, offering a pathway towards not only treating wounds but preventing them altogether.

Authors

• Rachel M. Nygaard, Department of Surgery, Hennepin Healthcare

• Jillian Peterson, Violence Prevention Project

• James Densley, Metropolitan State University

• Derek Lumbard, Hennepin Healthcare