The Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education asked researchers, community leaders, and frontline violence prevention professionals, “Why is gun violence a public health issue, and why does this matter?” Their responses shine a light on the causes of gun violence, its disproportionate impact on communities of color, and the health-focused strategies that can solve this crisis.

This video features Dr. Heriberto Escamilla, National Compadres Network. “When somebody picks up a gun and uses it, it affects his or her family, their children, their parents, their relatives…It's a public health and well-being problem,” says Dr. Escamilla.