Of the roughly 16,000 homicides that happen in the U.S. each year, approximately two thirds are committed with a firearm. Since 1982, there have been over 60 mass shootings in the U.S., and of all the guns used in them, more than three quarters were legally obtained.

These deaths are preventable and the conversation about violence prevention and gun policy in the U.S. has begun. Unfortunately, the public health role is not often recognized or included in the discussion. As the debate continues in Congress, state legislatures and on Main Street, it is important to understand the evidence related to violence prevention and gun policy in the U.S. and the role of the public health community in these debates.

Dialogue4Health is an internet-based broadcasting platform that has produced nearly 183 Web Forums for over 27,000 participants. In 2013, Dialogue4Health and American Public Health Association will host a series of two Web Forums that will provide a space for an open discussion on violence prevention, gun policy and public health. The Web Forums will bring together speakers of diverse backgrounds and knowledge to discuss the current state of violence in our country and engage participants on the future of violence prevention.

The Web Forum will:

• Provide an overview of gun violence and gun laws in the U.S.;
• Elaborate upon the link between guns, violence, the media and mental health using the current research and evidence; and
• Make the case for gun violence as a public health issue.