After Uvalde

Parents, families, friends and neighbors of victims in Uvalde, Texas are going through unimaginable pain right now. Even though no words can adequately express the disbelief, the grief, and the outrage left by the shooting at Robb Elementary School, I want to share a few thoughts with you.

Tragically, violence and the trauma it leaves behind is a growing public health crisis. The effects spread far beyond those who are directly injured in violent events.

Just being exposed to violence, especially on a repeated basis, increases someone’s risk of medical illnesses like asthma, hypertension, stroke, and cancer. Violence contributes to mental health issues including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Other negative effects of exposure to violence? Poor sleep, increased smoking, alcohol and substance use, and social isolation—all risk factors for early death.

We are also experiencing a national youth mental health crisis. A recent U.S. Surgeon General’s report confirmed that mental health challenges were a leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

As health care providers, we want to alleviate suffering. And we also want to keep suffering from arising in the first place. Prevention is a big part of what we do. It’s time for us to consider more deeply our role in preventing violence in our community.

I do not have all those answers. But I do know that our work supporting our patients’ physical and mental health is critical to help our community build its resilience and well-being.

I know that our plans to provide school-based health services will expand access to behavioral and medical care for youth, especially those challenged by the effects of COVID-19, discrimination, violence and other traumas.

And I know that in addition to our direct care for patients and their families, we are called to raise our voices as public health professionals. We must demand better policies that improve economic and social well-being, and advance equity—ultimately reducing violence in our communities.

Events like the mass shooting in Uvalde create agonizing heartbreak, bringing a sense of loss and even hopelessness that can spread far and wide. Moments like this require renewed courage and commitment, from all of us.

— Lisa Cline, CEO