Houston HVIP Research Study

Overview

Firearm violence is a major cause of death in the U.S., disproportionately affecting communities of color due to historical racism and health inequities. Victims often face a cycle of violence, being twice as likely to experience repeat violent events. Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs) are essential in breaking this cycle by offering comprehensive services and connecting victims to community-based support.

Despite being the fourth largest city in the U.S.A., Houston lacks an HVIP. This research study aims to establish the Houston-HVIP at Memorial Hermann Hospital to address this gap, paving the way for a sustainable, scalable program. This initiative represents a critical community-level response to firearm violence in Houston.

Population of the study: All gunshot wound patients ages 16 to 35 who are hospitalized for a non self-inflicted, intentional gunshot wound; residing in Harris County; English or Spanish speaking; not actively detained in the criminal justice system at the time of enrollment

Outcome

Reduce the occurrence of repeat firearm violence and non-firearm violence reinjury and improve behavioral, mental, and physical health outcomes over a 12-month follow-up period.

The program will:

1. Develop a coalition: Internal and external stakeholders to guide the program’s formation and implementation
2. Establish an educational platform: A trauma-informed, inter-professional care platform with a focus on health equity
3. Implement and evaluate the program: Randomized controlled trial to assess the program’s effectiveness in reducing repeat firearm violence and non-firearm violence reinjury, and improve behavioral, mental, and physical health outcomes over a 12-month follow-up period

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Trial Information

Target Enrollment: 274
Funder: Funding for this program is supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Award Number UG3NR021232. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.
Duration of Study: 5 years total (UG3NR021232: 2 years | UH3NR021232: 3 years)

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