Armed violence as a serious public health problem

Abstract

This essay presents the multifactorial approach to violence; however, the author focused on the armed violence that has been experienced and continues to be experienced in El Salvador. To study this phenomenon, we proceeded to analyze data on violence caused by firearms, a type of violence that almost always produces fatalities. Armed violence is a phenomenon with a great impact on public health, as shown by the indicator of years of life potentially lost (ylpp), which reports on diseases or violent acts that cause premature death. It should be noted that the term firearms refers to the instrument used to increase violence, leading to armed violence. The impact of violence can be seen through indicators such as health spending, life expectancy and mortality, but the most illustrative is the homicide rate. Nor can this problem be treated solely through the health area, which is why the regulation of firearms in El Salvador was also discussed, which is another important aspect.