Many of these deaths are preventable as well, but prevention will take the political courage to deal with a number of difficult to solve social problems. Along thes lines it is obvious that a large part of urban violence is related to drug trafficking or crimes committed to purchase drugs, and until this problem is either solved or regulated, urban violence will continue to plague the nation's cities. Surgeon's and surgical specialists are the main physician providers of trauma care. Although we have been effective in dramatically improving treatment and implementing sophisticated trauma systems for care of the injured patient, we have been poor spokesperson's for the problem. We have not been effective advocates for the care of the injured patients.
Most surgeons are busy people, who are intimately involved in the day to day care of their patients.
In addition, most would not view themselves as social activists. We must better identify the problem to the public, the press, and the politicians. Trauma must be viewed as the major public health problem that it is. This home page is my effort at making the problem more public. If you have similar concerns, questions, or comments then please send email.