The American Hospital Association (AHA) and its members are gearing up for #HAVhope National Day of Awareness on Friday, a day focusing national attention on ending all forms of violence with a digital media campaign including shared tweets, posted photos and other online efforts.
#HAVhope National Day of Awareness aims to unite hospitals, health systems, nurses, doctors and other professionals from across the country, as well as the local and national organizations they work with, to combat violence through the use of digital media. Violence is one of the nation’s major public health and safety issues, both in our communities and workplaces.
The United States experienced a 3.9 percent increase in the estimated number of violent crimes in 2015 compared to 2013, including 15,696 homicides and 90,000 sexual assaults. Although South Dakota’s crime rate remains low in comparison to many areas, the state’s violent crime rate did double in the last decade to 383 per 100,000 residents in 2015, according to FBI statistics reported in the Argus Leader. The violent crime rate in the Sioux Falls metro area is now higher than rates in Fargo, Omaha, Lincoln and other similar cities in the region, the article said.
Paul Cunningham, executive vice president of the Arkansas Hospital Association, said the American Hospital Association’s board of directors decided last year to be the standard bearer for the issue in an attempt to get people to recognize violence as one of the nation’s major public health and safety issues, both in communities and workplaces. For #HAVhope Friday, AHA is asking supporters to:
- Share a photo of yourself holding hands with others in your community or workplace committed to combating violence. Photos will be displayed on the AHA PreventViolence website.
- Use the hashtag #HAVhope on social media to highlight your work or commitment to combat violence in your community or workplace.
Click here to become a supporter.
For additional perspective, Trustee Magazine has a good article on the topic and the need for the AHA campaign.
