A Social-Medical Approach to Violence in Colombia

Abstract

Violence is the main public health problem in Colombia. Many theoretical and methodological approaches to solving this problem have been attempted from different disciplines. My past work has focused on homicide violence from the perspective of social medicine. In this article I present the main conceptual and methodological aspects and the chief findings of my research over the past 15 years. Findings include a quantitative description of the current situation and the introduction of the category of explanatory contexts as a contribution to the study of Colombian violence. The complexity and severity of this problem demand greater theoretical discussion, more plans for action and a faster transition between the two. Social medicine may make a growing contribution to this field.

The high burden of injuries in South Africa

“…An equally high homicide rate has been reported in Colombia (60 per 100 000). 29 Age-specific rates were even higher in certain geographical areas. In Cape Town's poorer townships of Khayelitsha and Nyanga, male youth violence is reflected in extremely high homicide rates (451 and 485 per 100 000, respectively) in the 15-24 age group.…”

Treinta años de homicidios en Medellín, Colombia, 1979-2008

“…Algunos autores han propuesto que factores como la agresividad, la intolerancia y la forma inapropiada de resolución de conflictos son la causa de al menos 8 de cada 10 homicidios en Colombia 20,21 . Otros han planteado que el homicidio, además de presentar importantes aumentos, también se ha diversificado y extendido hasta las zonas urbanas.…”

Advancing Integrated Systems Modelling Framework for Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment

“…Scheffran and BenDor [116] investigate interaction between economic conditions and land competition between different crops. Franco et al [117] use SD to understand the difficulties in fulfilling government requirements for biofuels blending and to evaluate the effect of different government policies in the production of ethanol and biodiesel. The value of dynamic system modelling is tying together micro-, meso-, and macro-level impacts (which have been identified in LCA, LCC, SLCA, MCDA, DEA methods) in implementing any complex system over time.…”