Violence prevention: a challenge for health care practitioners.

Interpersonal violence has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Principles of preventive medicine can be applied to help curb the growing rates of assault, murder, and rape. Health care providers should become leaders in the fight against violence. Physician assistants can encourage their national, state, and local organizations to develop specific educational programs. Individual PAs should become involved at the community level, as well as maintain a high index of suspicion with patients, and be prepared to offer counseling as needed.