Weaving a Safety Net: Integrating Injury and Violence Prevention into Maternal and Child Health Programs

The prevention of injury and violence is essential to the health and safety of families. State and local maternal and child health (MCH) professionals realize that they can be both efficient and cost-effective by incorporating injury and violence prevention activities into existing services, rather than developing new stand-alone programs. Not only can this web of safety strengthen the capacity of MCH programs, but it can promote the health of the people that they serve. Weaving a Safety Net: Integrating Injury and Violence Prevention into Maternal and Child Health Programs, developed by HHD’s Children’s Safety Network, identifies opportunities for integrating injury and violence prevention efforts into existing MCH services and provides examples from across the country.

For instance, women and teens who seek services for sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) may also be screened for violence, since STIs are associated with sexual abuse, dating violence, and violence against women. Young mothers receiving vouchers and nutrition information at a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic can be educated about shaken baby syndrome and child passenger safety.

It is important that injury and violence prevention activities fit well with existing MCH services and preserve the integrity of the program's central mission. Service providers need to understand the benefits of injury and violence prevention initiatives and how they can enrich existing programs. Staff may also require additional training and education materials to distribute to their clients.