Integrating Domestic Violence Prevention and Mitigation into Global COVID-19 Preparedness and Relief Efforts - BMC Series blog

Integrating Domestic Violence Prevention and Mitigation into Global COVID-19 Preparedness and Relief Efforts - BMC Series blog

Nafisa Halim

Nafisa Halim is a Research Assistant Professor of Global Health at Boston University School of Public Health. She is an applied sociologist with research interests in developing and testing maternal and child health interventions in HIV affected and/or resource-poor settings. Halim’s most current work focuses on intimate partner violence during pregnancy and risk of adverse pregnancy and childbirth outcomes

Integrating Domestic Violence Prevention and Mitigation into Global COVID-19 Preparedness and Relief Efforts

This week is National Public Health Week (NPHW), marking the recognition of important public health issues. During these trying times and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the acknowledgement of public health contributions is more important than ever. With today's NPHW theme focused on violence prevention, Dr Nafisa Halim, Associate Editor for BMC Public Health, discusses the recent increase in domestic violence in light of lockdowns and how prevention is key.

Nafisa Halim 8 Apr 2020

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an unprecedented global health emergency. At this writing, COVID-19 has affected more than 173 countries, causing 972,303 infections and 50,322 deaths. Highly contagious, coronavirus spreads through human-to-human contact, with the number of infections doubling every three days. Neither vaccine nor cure exists for COVID-19, although several clinical trials are underway. Prevention is cure, and physical distancing is the most effective prevention endeavor.