Why should health professionals learn about direct violence?
Direct violence in its various forms and levels has a documented mortality rate of about 1.6 million people a year. Worldwide it is a major cause of death in the 15-44 age group, accounting for 14% of all deaths among males and 7% among females. Such violence has enormous additional human costs: for each person killed many more survive with lifelong physical or psychological scars. Direct violence has many other impacts on societies, economies and the environment, and is an additional burden for the health system. Nevertheless, the most important messages of the World Report on Violence and Health are that violence can be prevented and that health professionals can play an active part (WHO 2002).