Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS) · Research article · Open access
Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue in the United States: A Review of Sociological and Criminal Justice Prevention Approaches
Abena Pinamang
29 May 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 5, pp. 649-655
DOI: 10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-19
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What is this article about?
Gun violence in the United States has been identified as a multifaceted problem at the nexus of public health, and criminal justice, with high population-wide effects and longstanding disparities. The purpose of this narrative review is to synthesize sociological and criminal justice views through a public health framework and the creation of an integrated view of the understanding and prevention of firearm violence.
Article at a glance
- Published
- 29 May 2026
- Volume / issue / pages
- Vol. 2, Issue 5, pp. 649-655
- ISSN
- 3051-3561 (online) · 3051-3553 (print)
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0 — free to read and reuse with attribution
- Peer review
- Double-blind, at least two independent reviewers
- Publisher
- EP Journals Group
Abstract
Gun violence in the United States has been identified as a multifaceted problem at the nexus of public health, and criminal justice, with high population-wide effects and longstanding disparities. The purpose of this narrative review is to synthesize sociological and criminal justice views through a public health framework and the creation of an integrated view of the understanding and prevention of firearm violence. A narrative review was performed with the help of major academic databases, literature, where the theoretical contribution, the main empirical studies, and the policy-oriented studies published between 2017 and 2025 were used. The studies were chosen based on their relevance to the issues of public health, structural determinants, and criminal justice interventions. The review cites gun violence as an imbalanced distribution among populations, based on structural inequality, community disorganization, and social network dynamics. There is evidence that specific deterrence tactics like focused deterrence and community-based interventions are consistently effective, whereas more general enforcement strategies and some firearm policies are less effective. One weakness in studies is the absence of interdisciplinary approach, which limits the formulation of holistic prevention plans. In response, this paper introduces the Integrated Public Health and Criminal Justice Framework, which integrates structural, community, and individual interventions to reduce firearm-related violence in the United States. The solution to gun violence should be a multi-level and integrated system that incorporates public health prevention strategies, sociological, and criminal justice approaches. Evidence-based, coordinated, and equity-oriented strategies are critical to attaining sustainable decreases in firearm violence.
Keywords: Inquiry-based learning, Primary science education, Greek science curriculum reform, Curriculum implementation, Teacher professional, development Epistemological beliefs, Formative assessment, Experimental Model Schools, Digital tools in science education, Sustainable educational reform
Cite this article
Abena Pinamang (2026). Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue in the United States: A Review of Sociological and Criminal Justice Prevention Approaches. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(5), 649-655. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-19
@article{Abena2026,
title = {Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue in the United States: A Review of Sociological and Criminal Justice Prevention Approaches},
author = {Abena Pinamang},
journal = {Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies},
year = {2026},
volume = {2},
number = {5},
pages = {649-655},
doi = {10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-19},
url = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-19}
}Questions about this article
Who wrote this article?
Abena Pinamang.
Where and when was it published?
In Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, Volume 2, Issue 5, pages 649-655, published by EP Journals Group on 29 May 2026.
Is this article free to read?
Yes. It is open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence, so anyone can read, share and reuse it with attribution.
What is the DOI of this article?
10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-19 (https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-19).
How do I cite this article?
APA: Abena Pinamang (2026). Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue in the United States: A Review of Sociological and Criminal Justice Prevention Approaches. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(5), 649-655. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-19
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