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  • Social Justice, Violence Prevention

Social Justice and Violence Prevention

In the United States a child is killed by gun violence every three hours. While many modern industrialized societies have problems of gun violence, there are huge differences in homicide rates among these countries. Recent evidence from more than forty epidemiological studies has shown a definite link between homicide rates and income inequality. The more unequal the income distribution, the higher the homicide rate. This relationship holds true both in comparing wealthy nations with one another and in comparing states of the United States with one another. Unfortunately, the United States is now the most unequal of all of the developed countries with the exception of Singapore.

Researchers have found that violence is often triggered when a person feels disrespected. In more unequal societies, a greater proportion of the population is subjected to feeling looked down upon. More unequal societies also suffer from less social cohesion. Violence prevention strategies are unlikely to be successful unless these larger social forces, like income inequality are redressed. It is for that reason that SF PSR is actively working to inform the medical community and the public at large about the important linkages between gun violence and the social environment. Policies that lessen income inequality lead to an improvement in life expectancy and social well-being. Such policies would include raising the minimum wage, improving worker pensions and benefits, strengthening labor unions, passing progressive tax reform, adequately funding education, passing universal health-care coverage and guaranteeing a minimum standard of living for everyone. The vast majority of society benefit from more equality, as greater social cohesion improves life for us all.