June has been National Gun Violence Awareness Month, and the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association said in a press release that one of the ways in which Virginia hospitals are helping lead efforts to enhance public health is with programs focused on meeting the needs of victims of community violence.

The programs are part of the “Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program Collaborative,” or HVIP, a VHHA Foundation-supported initiative now entering its fourth year of operation in Virginia.

Nearly 3,000 patients have been served by participating HVIP hospitals, said the release. In addition to providing direct medical care to victims of community and intimate partner violence, these hospitals educate patients about victim rights, engage in victim advocacy and support during emergency medical care, and offer assistance in applying for public benefits. They also provide access to crisis intervention services, emergency financial assistance, transportation assistance, and sh...