Strategic Directions

Each year, more than 50,000 people in the United States die as a result of violence and millions of others are left with debilitating physical and emotional injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is committed to ensuring all Americans live to their fullest potential. Violence clearly limits this potential by causing death, injury, and disability; increasing the risk of physical, reproductive, and emotional health problems; and devastating our communities.

Since 2006, CDC's Division of Violence Prevention has been working to develop strategic directions that guide our research and programmatic activities. A strategic direction is defined as a focused and compelling strategy for reducing rates of the various forms of violence (e.g., child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, suicidal behavior, and youth violence). The identified strategies are organized around multiple areas of public health research and practice and link back to the broader goals of the agency and the field of violence prevention.

Finalized Strategic Directions

Child Maltreatment

Our key strategy in preventing child maltreatment is the promotion of safe, stable, and nurturing relationships between children and caregivers.

Intimate Partner Violence

Our key strategy in preventing intimate partner violence is the promotion of respectful, nonviolent intimate partner relationships through individual, community, and societal level change.

Suicidal Behavior

Our key strategy in preventing fatal and nonfatal suicidal behavior is promoting individual, family, and community connectedness.

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