title: [Epidemiologic bases of mental health programs for violent behavior].
abstract: This article reviews the "case for action" for mental health programs on violent behavior. Mortality statistics for the region of the Americas show that the potential years of life lost due to violent behavior-related causes of death are of higher magnitude than those due to malignancies and intestinal infections. The impact of deaths associated to violent behavior is discussed from the perspective of the grief process and the post-traumatic reactions in the survivors. The possible role of mental health professionals in the prevention of some types of violent behavior and its consequences is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Programa Salud del Adulto, Organización Panamericana de la Salud, Washington, D.C. 20037.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Levav
mesh_terms: D002423:Cause of Death; D015981:Epidemiologic Factors; D005260:Female; D006280:Health Workforce; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D011203:Poverty; D012041:Regional Medical Programs; D014481:United States; D014754:Violence
vernacular_title: Bases epidemiológicas de los programas de salud mental sobre conductas violentas.