2026 Annual Symposium
Evidence, Equity, and Action:
Preventing Youth Violence and Injury
Thursday, Oct. 1
Agenda
Uniting to Prevent Youth Violence and Firearm Injury: Lessons in Advancing Bipartisan Support for Public Health Success
Presenter: Allison Arwady, MD, MPH, former director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The keynote address will discuss youth violence – particularly gun violence – as a public health issue, with an emphasis on data‑driven prevention strategies, coalition‑building, and cross-sector, bipartisan collaboration.
Partnerships in Prevention: Approaches to Youth Violence Prevention in the Twin Cities
Panelists: John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney; Marc Gorelick, MD, former president and CEO of Children’s MN; and Mark Campbell, Healing Streets; moderated by Bjorn Westgard, MD, HealthPartners.
This panel will highlight efforts across local government, health care, and community sectors to prevent youth-related violence in Minnesota, focusing on the Twin Cities metro area. Panelists will share perspectives on initiatives such as the Ramsey County Diversion Program, health care leadership and advocacy in gun violence prevention, and trauma-informed prevention efforts, with a focus on collaboration and community-centered approaches.
