Application of a method to prevent violence The case of Cali Colombia

We applied the method used by epidemiologists to control diseases of unknown nature to a social problem: violence in Cali. The method requires precise definition, identification of risk factors, hypotheses formulation, design and evaluation of interventionsi Violence was defined as the use of physical force with the intention to inflict injuryii, and affected by several risk factors: deficient law enforcement; availability of firearms; increased social alcohol consumption; organized crime; inequity and poverty; biological; and cultural factors. iii iv v An Epidemiological Surveillance System was developed to conduct careful analyses of characteristics of victim’s age and sex, time, type of weaponvi vii viii. All interventions were applied and carefully documented.ix x xi xii xiii Homicide rates and inequality were reduced in Cali.