Toledo-Lucas County Board of Health to form Violence Reduction Ad Hoc Committee

The Toledo-Lucas County Board of Health is forming a new committee to address the “critical public health issue” of violence, it announced Wednesday.

The board’s Violence Reduction Ad Hoc Committee will work to reduce violence through data, the development of new programs, and “action steps from a public health perspective,” the board said.

The committee will include public health experts, health-care professionals, educators, youth advocates, and community leaders, the board said.

“There are many health-related and environmental factors which may contribute to the likelihood of a child being involved in a weapon-related incident,” said Karim Baroudi, the board’s health commissioner. “We need to start upstream and address the root causes for why our youth are becoming involved with weapons.”

"We recognize that violence is a complex and pressing public health issue that requires urgent action," said Dr. Jonathon Ross, president of the Board of Health. “Our goal is to be a part of conversations that create actionable solutions, which will hopefully lead to lasting change and a safer community for everyone."