10 facts about violence prevention

Updated September 2011

Each year, more than 1.5 million people worldwide lose their lives to violence. For every person who dies as a result of violence, many more are injured and suffer from a range of physical, sexual, reproductive and mental health problems. Violence places a massive burden on national economies, costing countries billions of US dollars each year in health care, law enforcement and lost productivity. WHO works with partners to prevent violence through scientifically credible strategies.

Read the fact file

Related links

• WHO Department of Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability