A life course model of self-reported violence exposure and illhealth with a public health problem perspective

Abstract

Violence has probably always been part of the human experience. Its impact can be seen, in various forms, in all parts of the world. In 1996, WHO:s Forty-Ninth World Health Assembly adopted a resolution, declaring violence a major and growing public health problem around the world. Public health work centers around health promotion and disease prevention activities in the population and public health is an expression of the health status of the population taking into account both the level and the distribution of health. Exposure to violence can have many aspects, differing throughout the life course ― deprivation of autonomy, financial exploitation, psychological and physical neglect or abuse — but all types share common characteristics: the use of destructive force to control others by depriving them of safety, freedom, health and, in too many instances, life; the epidemic proportions of the problem, particularly among vulnerable groups; a devastating impact on individuals, families, neighborhoods, communities, and society. There is considerable evidence that stressful early life events influence a variety of physical and/or psychological health problems later in life. Childhood adversity has been linked to elevated rates of morbidity and mortality from number of chronic diseases. A model outlining potential biobehavioural pathways is put forward that may be a potential explanation of how exposure to violence among both men and women work as an important risk factor for ill health and should receive greater attention in public health work.

“Es Muy Tranquilo Aquí”: Perceptions of Safety and Calm among Binationally Mobile Mexican Immigrants in a Rural Border Community

“…As such, we argue that the comparison between safety levels in the United States and Mexico acted as a central determinant to individuals' perceptions of their communities in Yuma County. This finding parallels the 1996 World Health Organization's declaration of violence as a growing global public health crisis that undermines individual and community level health and wellbeing [12,42]. Violence and fear of violence have been linked to decreased physical activity in the neighborhood setting and declines in overall physical and mental well-being [11,43,44].…”

Beyond Viral Suppression—The Impact of Cumulative Violence on Health-Related Quality of Life Among a Cohort of Virally Suppressed Patients

“…55 The mechanisms through which HRQoL is diminished may be explained by the accumulation of risk life-course model, which postulates that cumulative adversity over time is detrimental to psychological health and increases illness burden. 56,57 Violent victimization, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and HIV symptom burden have each been identified as contributors to lower HRQoL for PLWH. 43,44,47,48,[51][52][53][54] Indeed, evidence suggests that for PLWH, cumulative violence may lead to increased health burden through effects on mental health and HIV symptoms.…”

Displacement due to armed conflict and violence in childhood and adulthood and its effects on older adult health: The case of the middle-income country of Colombia

“…Other environmental factors that cause stress during early life and childhood, such as violence, can be detrimental to adult health. Exposure to violence has long-term effects on health, including physical and psychological problems and mortality (Guedes et al, 2016, Olofsson, 2014, Wilson et al, 2004). Such early life stress can affect epigenetic processes related to development and growth, leading to adult chronic conditions, poor physical functioning, depression, cognitive impairment, and responses to stress in later life (Alastalo et al, 2013, Elder et al, 1996, Lanius et al, 2010, Schwartz et al, 1995, Taylor, 2010, Vaiserman, 2015, Winning et al, 2015).…”