The Duke Orthopaedic Trauma Section is partnering with the City of Durham to launch the Durham Impact Project, a new initiative to prevent gun violence. The program will collaborate with local barbershops to conduct focus groups, connecting vulnerable community members with essential resources and support.
The program will address critical topics such as preventive health and food insecurity through community events. It will also partner with the Violence Recovery Program at Duke University Hospital, which provides care and support to victims of gun violence.
Organizers hope that by building trust within the community, they can meaningfully reduce violence and improve lives.
“As orthopaedic trauma surgeons, we often treat patients suffering from bone fractures caused by gun violence,” said Malcolm DeBaun, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University School of Medicine and program lead. “I frequently see young males, even teenagers, who are victims of gun violence, and it's heartbreaking to witness this cycle.”
“It's almost like a contagion—weekends often bring a cluster of injuries,” DeBaun continued. “We want to be part of the solution, leveraging resources at Duke Health and the Durham community to create a safer, healthier environment for all.”