2009 Bellos Lecture: The Health Implications of Common Exposure to Violence in New Haven
The Honorable John DeStefano, Jr. Eight Term Mayor of the City of New Haven
New Haven's Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. delivered a provocative talk on April 15 as the annual Sybil Palmer Bellos lecturer. The mayor's talk, entitled, "The Health Implications of Common Exposure to Violence in New Haven," centered around the role of health care for Connecticut's neediest residents. DeStefano described how mental illness and substance abuse, in particular, lead to violence, greatly affecting a portion of the population.
Mayor DeStefano described patterns of mental illness and criminal behavior that exist within families, so that a cycle is created across generations. He is seeking to tailor a set of interventions to change these behaviors, so that criminal offenders might go on to make positive contributions to New Haven and their families.
As a life-long resident of the Elm City, and now in his 16th year as mayor, DeStefano is well-versed on the many organizations that provide health and mental health care in the community. Because one individual might receive services from a number of agencies, such as hospitals, law enforcement, and mental health providers, the mayor has created a "round table" where 40 service providers can collaborate.
As the Past President of the National League of Cities, DeStefano said that New Haven's challenges are typical of a city this size, and that New Haven's size makes it "the best place to start constructing new models and new expectations."
