The purpose of this discussion paper is twofold: to identify progress in the use of
evidence-based violence prevention programs and selected resources and to discuss the critical
gap between the evidence and its translation into demonstrably effective community-based
programs. In January 2013, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) convened a 2-day workshop on the
evidence base for violence prevention. The IOM Forum on Global Violence Prevention
assembled experts to discuss what works to prevent violence, where to find evidence, and
challenges faced by practitioners, communities, and policy makers attempting to make use of the
existing evidence.4
This discussion paper highlights several implementation challenges when
using such evidence, specifically in the context of the United States.