Book Discussion Explores Violence As Public Health Issue

NEW YORK CITY- July 14, The New York Academy of Medicine held a panel discussion titled “Preventing Genocide: Health, Development and Peace” on July 9. Panelists Dr. David Hamburg and Ambassador Francis M. Deng of Sudan discussed the promise of genocide prevention looking at several mechanisms, including public health.

The framework for discussion on prevention was based on Dr. Hamburg’s new book titled Preventing Genocide: Practical Steps toward Early Detection and Effective Action. The book discusses four pillars of society that show potential for preventing mass violence. One of the pillars, Fostering

Ambassador Francis M. Deng and Dr. David Hamburg discussed the promise of genocide prevention at a NYAM panel discussion.

Equitable Socioeconomic Development, includes public health as a component. Dr. Hamburg explained the ways in which public health can be used as a point of entry to diffuse conflict in a region, “Health is a bridge to peace. It turns out that health is very much desired and accepted. It is possible to get a point of entry by bringing some health capacity to bear, by getting adversaries to work together to improve the health of their country or region.”

Violence as a public health issue is a new global concept. In a follow up to the 1996 World Health Assembly declaration of violence as a public health concern, the World Health Organization (WHO) released their first World Report on Violence and Health in 2002. The introduction of violence as a public health issue allowed the world health community to see opportunities for violence prevention while utilizing existing strategies and mechanisms. Ambassador Deng stressed the importance of stimulating preventive action early because in most cases violence erupts in situations that have been tense for years but, “We usually recognize it, genocide, after it is done when it is too late to do anything”.

Both panelists agree that genocide and mass atrocities can be recognized years before its actual onset. Once in place, mechanisms for prevention can address and help diffuse tensions before they build and end in violence. For those who cannot fathom that genocide prevention is possible, citing the remarkable, and sometimes impossible, achievements of the 21st century including the end of apartheid, Dr. Hamburg said, “We see in these historic achievements strong expressions of emerging human decency and also a need for constant vigilance to mobilize human capacities, learning to live together in personal dignity and shared humanity. Those of us here tonight at a great institution

NYAM President Dr. Jo Ivey Boufford moderates the panelists.

like this one can do a lot to stimulate interest to disseminate ideas of the kind delineated here and above all to generate better ideas.”

Ambassador Deng was recently appointed by UN Secretary???General Ban Ki-moon as his Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide, a position he holds on a full-time basis and at the level of Under-Secretary General. Among his numerous prestigious posts and positions held over the years, Deng served as Sudan’s Ambassador to the Nordic countries, Canada and the United States, as well as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Dr. Hamburg, an Honorary Fellow and Trustee of the New York Academy of Medicine, is the DeWitt Wallace Distinguished Scholar at Weill Cornell Medical College. He is President Emeritus of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, where he served as President from 1982 to 1997. Most recently, Dr. Hamburg chaired two parallel committees at the United Nations and European Union on the prevention of genocide. Among the numerous awards and recognitions Dr. Hamburg is the recipient of the National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal (its highest award), and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest civilian award of the United States).

The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) has been advancing the health of people in cities since 1847. An independent organization, NYAM addresses the health challenges facing the world’s urban populations through interdisciplinary approaches to policy leadership, education, community engagement and innovative research. Drawing on the expertise of diverse partners worldwide and more than 2,000 elected Fellows from across the professions, our current priorities are to create environments in cities that support healthy aging; to strengthen systems that prevent disease and promote the public’s health; and to implement interventions that eliminate health disparities.

Posted on July 16, 2008

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