Firearm availability was declared a fundamental cause and risk factor of violence by the Health Ministers of 30 countries in the Americas. The Ministerial Declaration on Violence and Injury Prevention in the Americas was signed in Mérida, Mexico, on 14 March. The US did not sign.
This meeting was held before the start of the 2008 World Conference on Injury Prevention, also in Mérida 15-18 March. Several members of the IANSA Public Health Network and IPPNW presented papers including Dr Ime John of Nigeria, Dr Emperatriz Crespin of El Salvador and Dr Walter Odhiambo of Kenya. Louise Rimmer, IANSA’s Communications Officer, was there to assist with media outreach. At least 9 newspapers highlighted gun violence in their coverage of the Conference. |
