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Violence Prevention

Our program

CommonSpirit is committed to creating and promoting a culture of non-violence as an essential element of health and wellbeing for all. Our United Against Violence initiative builds on the legacy of our founding congregations, seeking to address, reduce and ultimately prevent violence in all its forms. Our work includes:

  • Community-based violence prevention programs
  • Public policy advocacy
  • Shareholder advocacy
  • Education and awareness strategies

Education and resources

Our United Against Violence initiative is the first of its kind to be sponsored by a national nonprofit health system. This program is our formal commitment to violence prevention. As part of this commitment, we provide funding and support to help local operations create or expand violence prevention programs in the communities we serve.

Learn more and access CommonSpirit's Community-based Violence Prevention Resource Guide and Model.

Violence prevention

Impact and Engagement

CommonSpirit’s approach to violence prevention, using community-based programs, public policy advocacy and shareholder advocacy, is a powerful combination of strategies that collectively make a meaningful difference in any and all forms of violence. The complexities of violence require us to take comprehensive approaches, recognizing that violence is a public health issue and it is our role to address and prevent this epidemic just as we work to prevent other serious issues impacting health and wellbeing.

Learn about some of our community-based violence prevention initiatives below:

Houston, TX

Dayton, OH

Prevention Approaches in Forced Labor and Sex Exploitation

In addition to addressing forms of human trafficking in many of our community-based violence prevention programs, we are also committed to addressing human trafficking in our own supply chain. In 2021, we launched a systemwide initiative that began with training for all staff in the Supply and Service Resource Management (SSRM) department to ensure the issue of forced labor is understood and that staff has the ability to recognize risk factors. In addition to training, we are working with our suppliers to communicate our commitment to the elimination of forced labor, and to share our expectation that we work in partnership toward this goal. We strive to advance awareness throughout the healthcare industry and to advance actions to protect workers rights in vulnerable regions, such as migrant workers in Asian and African countries.

Learn more about our Human Trafficking Response Program

Forced labor

Violence Prevention articles

Some Nuns and Bishops Are Taking on the Nation's Biggest Gunmaker

SEP 13, 2022

This TIME magazine article notes CommonSpirit Health's participation in shareholder advocacy to encourage reasonable and sensible solutions to prevent gun violence and to promote gun safety.

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As Gun Deaths Rise, Many Health Care Groups Call for More Funding for Research

JUN 15, 2022

CommonSpirit uses its data on gun violence to inform education and prevention strategies, including systemic approaches to addressing gun violence and specific interventions with partners in the community.

Read More Additional information about As Gun Deaths Rise, Many Health Care Groups Call for More Funding for Research

Activist Investing Has Come for Fossil Fuels. What About Guns?

MAY 29, 2022

In this New York Times article, advocacy director Laura Krausa discusses CommonSpirit's approach to investing in companies to encourage change on social issues.

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