Big numbers, tragic topic

The numbers tell a story all by themselves. Whether it be bullying, dating or street violence, assaults or homicides, violence and child abuse remain huge concerns.

Consider the following. Homicide and suicide are the second and third leading causes of death of American children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2011 more than 707,000 youth ages 10-24 were treated in emergency departments for injuries from physical assaults. And more than three million reports of child abuse are received by state and local agencies each year – an average of nearly six every minute.

While the numbers show how big the problem is, the news reports show how tragic it can be. The pictures and reports of Columbine, Newtown, Virginia Tech, and widespread abuse by clergy and coaches are now vivid, sad, and lingering chapters in our nation’s history. They are still making headlines.

Violence and abuse take a huge toll on our nation’s youth, physically, mentally, and emotionally, as spectators, perpetrators, or victims. The March edition of Physician Focus with the Massachusetts Medical Society, attempts to put some perspective on the topic.

Pediatrician Robert Sege, M.D., Director of the Division of Family and Child Advocacy at Boston Medical Center, and Elliot Pittel, M.D., child and adolescent psychiatrist at The Home for Little Wanderers in Boston, join program host Bruce Karlin, M.D. for this conversation. The two physicians bring a wide range of knowledge and perspectives to the topic. Dr. Sege is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect and co-author of the AAP's policy on guns, and Dr. Pittel is chair of the Massachusetts Medical Society’s Committee on Violence Intervention and Prevention.

Among the topics of conversations are the causes of youth violence, the influence of media on children, the importance of ‘being connected’ for both parents and children, and the role physicians can play in helping to prevent and reduce the violence.

Please join us on Physician Focus in March for an important conversation.

Pictured, from left: Bruce Karlin, M.D., Robert Sege, M.D., Elliot Pittel, M.D.