Pilot Study Results of the Houston Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program

• In Event: Impacts of Victimization and Systemic Challenges

Abstract

Purpose: Gunshot wound survivors experience significant physical, psychological, and social challenges after hospital discharge, yet standard post-hospital care rarely addresses these needs comprehensively. The Houston Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (Houston-HVIP) is an NIH-funded randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the effectiveness of case management services compared to standard care for gunshot wound victims aged 16-35 at a Level 1 trauma center in Houston, Texas. This presentation reports on recruitment, program participation, preliminary participant satisfaction, and behavioral health outcomes from the pilot phase conducted between December 2024 and June 2025.

Methods: Sixteen participants were randomized to receive either standard post-hospital care or case management services. Bivariate analyses (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA) were conducted to assess differences between study arms.

Results: Preliminary findings include key metrics on recruitment rates, program engagement, and satisfaction with services related to mental health, employment, housing, social services, and violence interruption through a credible messenger organization. Recurrent violent injury and behavioral health outcomes at three months post-enrollment will also be presented.

Conclusion: Insights from the pilot phase will guide refinements in recruitment strategies and program delivery before the full-scale RCT launch in September 2025.

Authors

• Sandra McKay, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

• Eresha Bluth, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

• Latanya Monroe, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

• Karlton Harris, The Forgotten Third

• Alex Testa, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston