In public health, we know that social and economic factors influence health outcomes more than other factors such as clinical care and health behaviors. Thus, the DeKalb County Health Department works closely with community partners, such as Safe Passage, whose mission is to reduce or prevent domestic violence and sexual assault in DeKalb County.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. In addition, nearly 14 percent of women and 3.5 percent of men have been injured as a result of intimate partner violence. Apart from deaths and injuries, physical violence by an intimate partner is associated with a number of adverse health outcomes. Staff from Safe Passage provided an educational presentation and discussion with Health Department staff to strengthen their partnership in order to meet mutual goals in the interest of their clients and the County.
Health Department staff wanted to provide concrete support to Safe Passage and their clients during this challenging time of the state budget impasse. In response to their needs, during the month of February – Teen Dating Violence Month — the Health Department staff conducted a drive to collect blankets, cleaning and self-care items. They were able to significantly add to Safe Passage’s inventory of these needed items (see photo). Voluntary donations during their February Jeans for a Cause day also provided a healthy monetary donation to be used to purchase further needed items.
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