Healthy communities help protect against violence
In keynote speech, an antiterrorism expert shares how individuals and communities can combat hate
Dr. Gina Ligon
Just like preventing a disease, inoculation against violence is important – and possible. That’s one takeaway from the keynote speaker of OneWorld’s annual Milagro Awards. The Oct. 24, 2024, event drew attendees to honor change makers and inspire future milagros (“miracles”).
Recognizing public health’s role in violence prevention, OneWorld gave the stage to keynote speaker Gina Ligon, PhD, director of National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Ligon talked about the connection between public health and violence prevention, and the role of individuals and communities to prevent the spread of hate in a time of deep division.
“Public health and violence prevention go hand-in-hand,” Ligon said, in comments before the event. “Healthy communities boost the factors that protect us — like access to healthcare — and mitigate against risks that incline someone to see violence as an answer to a problem. We all can play a part by understanding that everyone needs access to basic needs and connection, across divisions, to one another.”
Ligon said it’s important not to wait until a violent event happens before speaking out. For community members, that means paying attention to the current climate and speaking out against grievance-fueled hate and anger, she said. It also means advocating for stronger protective factors that are known to decrease violence, like access to basic needs, education, economic opportunity and connection.
OneWorld’s health care providers and social services team are adept at connecting patients with available resources. Last year, OneWorld provided 52,000 people with quality medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and support services. Of those patients, more than 20,000 did not have health insurance.
“Health care providers get a unique window into the lives of the people they serve and can be trusted messengers on risk and protective factors,” Ligon said.
OneWorld CEO Andrea Skolkin said the community health center and its supporters make a positive impact on which Omaha’s future depends. The Milagro Awards’ theme, “Change Starts with Us,” underscores the work of OneWorld and its supporters.
“’Change starts with us’ is the idea that personal and organizational responsibility and action are fundamental to creating societal change,” Skolkin. “We all have the power to influence and drive change through our choices and behavior in our personal life or within the community.”