Key Priority Research Articles

The effect of government investments on the environment: An empirical investigation of OECD countries

Sustainable development and climate change mitigation have become key priorities of economic policy. These priorities also remain relevant in the government investments. However, theoretical approaches indicate that government investments have both favourable and detrimental effects on environmental quality. Besides, the current literature has dealt with the impact of government expenditures in general. Based on this theoretical foundation and literature motivation this study addresses the impact of government investments on carbon emissions, in the case of 38 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. For this purpose, in the models estimated for 2 different indicators of carbon emission, besides the lagged carbon emissions, income level, industrial production, energy intensity and renewable energy variables, government investments were also included into the analysis as additional explanatory variable. Considering the dynamic nature of our model, we implemented the system generalized method of moments on panel data and the findings of all different estimates demonstrate that government investments increase environmental pollution. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the path dependence of carbon emissions is strong and point to the carbon-mitigating effect of income level and renewables, and the carbon-increasing effect of industrial production and energy intensity. Our results support the pro-market view on the environmental impact of government investments and point to environmental efficiency problems arising from the decision-making processes of government investments. Furthermore, our results are not in favor of the opinion that government investments are decided based on social costs and social benefits, including externalities, and therefore have a long-term sustainability perspective.

Ethical and epistemic costs of a lack of geographical and cultural diversity in developmental science.

Increasing geographical and cultural diversity in research participation has been a key priority for psychological researchers. In this article, we track changes in participant diversity in developmental science over the past decade. These analyses reveal surprisingly modest shifts in global diversity of research participants over time, calling into question the generalizability of our empirical foundation. We provide examples from the study of early child development of the significant epistemic and ethical costs of a lack of geographical and cultural diversity to demonstrate why greater diversification is essential to a generalizable science of human development. We also discuss strategies for diversification that could be implemented throughout the research ecosystem in the service of a culturally anchored, generalizable, and replicable science. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Acute Bed Avoidance, Direct Admissions from Frailty at the Front Door to Rehabilitation Beds in Partnership with the ICPOP Team

Abstract Background A key priority outlined in the Programme for Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own home. In line with the Slainte care vision for easier access of Right Care, Right Place and Right Time Clontarf Hospital have developed a pathway with the ICPOP Team/ FITT Team admitting patients directly from the front door of the acute hospital into a more appropriate environment, thus avoiding Acute Hospital admission or admitting directly from the community thus avoiding the Emergency Department presentation. The patients are over 65 years of age with multi comorbidities and complexities. Methods Both pathways have been developed and embedded. The ICPOP Consultant Geriatrician and the Patient Flow Teams in both Clontarf Hospital and the Mater Hospital collaborated to establish a seamless FITT to Rehab pathway which is person centred. At least 1 Rehabilitation bed is offered by Clontarf Hospital to the FITT ED Team 5 days a week Monday- Friday. An electronic communication group was instated to refer patients directly from the Emergency Department MMUH to Clontarf Hospital. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Tool is utilised to refer and handover all patients. The data is collected on Clontarf Hospital Electronic Dash Board since the introduction of the service including: Results Since the start of the service mid-2022, 174 patients have been admitted saving acute hospital bed days. The MLOS is 22 days and ALOS is 27 bed days. Over 72% of patients are discharged directly home. There has been significant positive feedback from patients and families. Conclusion The establishment of a direct admission pathway from the Emergency Department and the community to a rehabilitation hospital has demonstrated positive patient outcomes and overall benefits to the healthcare system.

Long COVID among healthcare workers: a narrative review of definitions, prevalence, symptoms, risk factors and impacts.

Long COVID (LC) occurs when people experience symptoms for weeks, months or even years after a COVID-19 infection. This review looks at research exploring the LC definitions, prevalence, symptoms, risk factors, and associated impacts in research on healthcare workers (HCWs). We systematically searched five electronic databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, PsycInfo and PubMed) and compiled a narrative literature review based on 56 relevant studies. LC is prevalent among HCWs who become infected by COVID-19. Many of the most frequent symptoms associated with LC in the general population are also reported among HCWs. Some risk factors for LC are also similar to those in the general population, such as female sex, older age, and having a pre-existing respiratory illness. The mechanism(s) responsible for LC remains unknown. A variety of terms, timeframes and symptoms are used to define LC, creating difficulties in comparing results across studies. Much of the research is cross-sectional and fails to explore the impacts that prolonged symptoms have on HCWs' personal and professional lives. The need to support HCWs with LC is clear. Identifying the mechanism(s) responsible for LC is a key priority, as this will inform treatments. Future research should move towards a standard definition for LC. Greater attention should be paid to longitudinal and qualitative studies, which could give insights into prognosis, lived experience and work participation. Finally, studies evaluating treatments suitable for people with LC are timely.

Moderating Role of Social Value Orientation on the Relationship between Tax Service Quality and Tax Compliance among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the North Rift Economic Bloc, Kenya

Tax revenues are crucial for government operations, providing essential economic, social, and political benefits. However, tax noncompliance by individuals and businesses can undermine these benefits by reducing government revenue and compromising the tax system’s fairness and effectiveness. As such, improving taxpayer compliance is a key government priority. This study examines the conditional effect of social value orientation on the relationship between tax service quality and tax compliance among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya. Guided by a positivist philosophy and explanatory design, the study sampled 393 SMEs owners/managers from a population of 21,232 through stratified sampling. The data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, with reliability and validity confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha and factor analysis. The analysis employed descriptive and inferential statistics and multiple regression analyses using the Andrew Hayes Process macro. Findings indicated that both tax service quality (β =.541, p<0.01) and social value orientation (β = 0.333, p < 0.01) significantly and positively affect tax compliance. Additionally, social value orientation significantly moderates the relationship between tax service quality and tax compliance (β = 0.5059, p < 0.01, R2 = 0.0774). The study concludes that high-quality tax service and consideration for social values of the taxpayer are crucial for improving the compliance level of SMEs. Governments encourage greater compliance by providing efficient, user-friendly, and transparent services, as well as through the inclusion of social values in policy and program design. Future research should explore other factors influencing compliance through a mixed-method approach.

Brain tumor patient perceptions toward repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for rehabilitation after surgery

Abstract Background Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is established for depression and rehabilitation after stroke and is emerging for cognitive rehabilitation. We sought to evaluate patient and carer perceptions toward rTMS for rehabilitation after neurosurgery. Methods Two surveys were undertaken. Group 1: Patients who received 7 days of rTMS for motor or language rehabilitation for severe postoperative deficits following lesional resection were prospectively surveyed on the last day of their rTMS treatment, as well as their next of kin. Group 2: Patients who had previously been diagnosed with glioma but did not receive rTMS were retrospectively surveyed through two brain tumor charities, including next of kin. Results Group 1: Twenty-one responses. Eleven patients, 10 next of kin. The commonest pathology was WHO Grade 4 glioma (n = 3). Group 2: 24 responses. Sixteen patients, 8 next of kin. The commonest pathology was WHO Grade 2 glioma (n = 7). Most Group 1 respondents reported a positive experience of rTMS (15/21). Patients experienced subjective improvements in gross motor functions of arm and leg weakness and purposeful movement (9/11). Lack of subjective motor improvement was associated with adverse symptoms (e.g., headaches; p = .01). Group 2 respondents were supportive of rTMS. Key priorities included motor and cognitive rehabilitation. They were accepting of longer and more frequent rTMS sessions than Group 1 (p = .028 and <.001, respectively). Commonest concerns pertained to side effects are seizures and headaches. Conclusions rTMS for rehabilitation was well-tolerated by patients with side effects being commoner in those with no subjective motor improvements. Nontreated patients and their next of kin would find longer and more sessions acceptable but have concerns about potential side effects.

The Study of the Enhancing Program on Double-Qualified Teachers Competency in Local Applied University

Enhancing the competency of double-qualified teachers can significantly improve educational quality, adapt to industry demands, drive educational reform, and support teachers' personal career development and students' overall growth. This study aims to investigate and identify the components of double-qualified teachers' competency in local applied universities by distributing expert confirmation forms to experts in the field of educational management. Additionally, a survey will be conducted among 228 double-qualified teachers from Baise University to explore the current and desired states of their competencies. The PNI modified method will then be used to assess the key priority needs index of double-qualified teachers' competencies in local applied universities. Based on the survey feedback, a training program will be proposed to enhance the competency of double-qualified teachers. The results revealed that: Part 1 of the components of enhancing double-qualified teachers' competency include: i) Proper Ethics, ii) Practical ability, iii) Teaching ability, iv) Reflection and improvement, v) Teacher-student relationship. The suitability of these components was highly rated by experts. Part 2 in the study of the current, desired states, and priority needs of double-qualified teachers' competencies in local applied universities, the current state was generally at a medium level. In the desired state, the competencies of double-qualified teachers were at a very high level. Among the PNI rankings, "Proper ethics" was identified as having the highest priority need. Part 3 is to enhance the competency of double-qualified teachers in local applied universities, the project will use the 70:20:10 learning model. The program consists of 5 components: i) Principles, ii) Objectives, iii) Contents, iv) Development Processes, and v) Measurement and Evaluation. The suitability and feasibility of the program were evaluated by 5 experts. The results indicated that both the suitability and feasibility of the program were at the highest level. This study is significant for enhancing the competency of double-qualified teachers in local applied universities, as it can provide a reference framework for the training of double-qualified teachers' competencies.

Echoes of the past: The enduring impact of communism on contemporary freedom of speech values

Free speech is essential for informed decision-making, government efficacy, and fostering innovation in liberal societies. But what promotes or hinders freedom of speech values? Exploiting the natural experiment of German separation and later reunification, we show that living under communism has had lasting effects on free speech opinions, and the convergence process has been slow. East Germans are still less likely to consider freedom of speech a key government priority than West Germans. The effects are the largest for cohorts that lived the longest under communism. This provides evidence that more prolonged exposure to the features of socialism—including indoctrination and repression—collectively lowers the appreciation of freedom of speech values. Our results are robust to a battery of sensitivity checks and provide suggestive evidence pointing to indoctrination as a mechanism behind our findings. As such, our paper contributes to the scarce body of literature on the economics of free speech, suggesting that freedom of speech may be a part of informal institutions and slow-changing cultural values.

Qualitative assessment of evidence-informed adolescent mental health policymaking in India: insights from project SAMA

BackgroundThe importance of evidence-informed health policymaking is widely recognized. However, many low- and middle-income countries lack evidence-informed mental health policies due to insufficient data, stigma or lack of resources. Various policies address adolescent mental health in India, but published knowledge on their evidence-informed nature is limited. In this paper, we report results of our analysis of the role of evidence in adolescent mental health policymaking in India.MethodsThis paper reports findings from the document analysis of key policy documentation (n = 10) and in-depth interviews with policy actors including policymakers, researchers, practitioners and intermediaries (n = 13). Framework analysis was used, informed by the components of a conceptual framework adapted from the literature: actors, policy and evidence processes, nature of evidence itself and contextual influences.ResultsResults show that adolescent mental health policies in India were generally evidence-informed, with more key evidence becoming generally available from 2010 onwards. Both formal and informal evidence informed mental health policies, particularly agenda-setting and policy development. Mental health policymaking in India is deemed important yet relatively neglected due to competing policy priorities and structural barriers such as stigma. Use of evidence in mental health policymaking reflected differing values, interests, relative powers and ideologies of policy actors. Involvement of government officials in evidence generation often resulted in successful evidence uptake in policy decisions. Policy actors often favoured formal and quantitative evidence, with a tendency to accept global evidence that aligns with personal values.ConclusionsThere is a need to ensure a balanced and complementary combination of formal and informal evidence for policy decisions. Evidence generation, dissemination and use for policy processes should recognize evidence preferences by key stakeholders, while prioritizing locally available evidence where possible. To help this, a balanced involvement of policy actors can ensure complementary perspectives in evidence production and policy agendas. This continued generation and promotion of evidence can also help reduce societal stigma around mental health and promote mental health as a key policy priority.

Assessment of the HIV Enhanced Access Testing in the Emergency Department (HEATED) program in Nairobi, Kenya: a quasi-experimental prospective study

Background Persons seeking emergency injury care are often from higher-risk and underserved key populations (KPs) and priority populations (PPs) for HIV programming. While facility-based HIV Testing Services (HTS) in Kenya are effective, emergency department (ED) delivery is limited, despite the potential to reach underserved persons. Methods This quasi-experimental prospective study evaluated implementation of the HIV Enhanced Access Testing in Emergency Departments (HEATED) at Kenyatta National Hospital ED in Nairobi, Kenya. The HEATED program was designed as a multi-component intervention employing setting appropriate strategies for HIV care sensitization and integration, task shifting, resource reorganization, linkage advocacy, skills development and education to promote ED-HTS with a focus on higher-risk persons. KPs included sex workers, gay men, men who have sex with men, transgender persons and persons who inject drugs. PPs included young persons (18–24 years), victims of interpersonal violence, persons with hazardous alcohol use and persons never HIV tested. Data were obtained from systems-level records, enrolled injured patient participants and healthcare providers. Systems and patient-level data were collected during a pre-implementation period (6 March − 16 April 2023) and post-implementation (period 1, 1 May − 26 June 2023). Additional, systems-level data were collected during a second post-implementation (period 2, 27 June − 20 August 2023). HTS data were evaluated as facility-based HIV testing (completed in the ED) and distribution of HIV self-tests independently, and aggregated as ED-HTS. Evaluation analyses were completed across reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance framework domains. Results All 151 clinical staff were reached through trainings and sensitizations on the HEATED program. Systems-level ED-HTS among all presenting patients increased from 16.7% pre-implementation to 23.0% post-implementation periods 1 and 2 (RR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.21–1.43; p < 0.001). Among 605 enrolled patient participants, facilities-based HTS increased from 5.7% pre-implementation to 62.3% post-implementation period 1 (RR = 11.2, 95%CI: 6.9–18.1; p < 0.001). There were 440 (72.7%) patient participants identified as KPs (5.6%) and/or PPs (65.3%). For enrolled KPs/PPs, facilities-based HTS increased from 4.6% pre-implementation to 72.3% post-implementation period 1 (RR = 13.8, 95%CI: 5.5–28.7, p < 0.001). Systems and participant level data demonstrated successful adoption and implementation of the HEATED program. Through 16 wk post-implementation a significant increase in ED-HTS delivery was maintained as compared to pre-implementation. Conclusions The HEATED program increased overall ED-HTS and augmented delivery to KPs/PPs, suggesting that broader implementation could improve HIV services for underserved persons already in contact with health systems.

Re-visioning the GeoCapabilities project through the lens of critical realism with a focus on sustainable global citizenship

This article argues that the GeoCapabilities project should be rethought using the philosophy of critical realism. This would resolve issues that some of the project’s main actors regard as outstanding and shed new light on capabilities that are best met in a degrowth society where all actors fulfil their roles as sustainable global citizens. Doughnut economics and the foundational economy offer bridges to degrowth while new insights into the dimensions of sustainable global citizenship offer new pedagogical approaches to global citizenship education that complement those based on agonistic pedagogy. In conclusion the article suggests that the key priority for such education, whether delivered via geography, environmental education, or otherwise, is that it is founded on a critically realist philosophy of knowledge.

COVID-19 and redemptions from Irish-resident bond funds

This paper examines net redemptions from bond funds domiciled in Ireland at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyse various empirical specifications to determine whether factors such as fund leverage, measures of liquidity, portfolio risk and portfolio concentration, among others, explain outflows from Irish-domiciled bond funds in March 2020. The findings indicate that funds with a larger share of short-term securities and riskier bond portfolios experienced higher redemptions. Our analysis also suggests that fund size and age are significant factors affecting outflows. When examining various sub-samples, we find evidence of more reactive behaviour among investors in actively managed funds compared to passively managed funds. We also find that retail bond funds demonstrate greater sensitivity to risk and leverage, while professional funds show evidence of lower risk aversion. These results provide insights that can help inform policymakers’ view of regulatory tools for market-based finance, a key priority internationally.

Understanding drivers of changing flood dynamics for enhancing coastal community resilience: a participatory approach

In recent decades, coastal communities globally have experienced increased frequency and intensity of flood hazards, especially in developing nations. An increase in flooding has often been attributed to population growth, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, rapid urbanization, and poor land use, often exacerbated by insufficient urban flood risk management policies. However, flood risk management is complex and necessitates an in-depth look at factors that drive changing flood dynamics in coastal cities. This study used a participatory approach to identify, categorize, and analyze drivers of change in the flood-prone city of Limbe, Cameroon, a major tourism hub and contributor to Cameroon’s GDP. The study engaged key stakeholders, including community members, government authorities, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations. The study led to the identification of 46 major drivers classified into six clusters. The study findings emphasized four key priority areas to enhance policy and community resilience: restoring natural buffer zones like wetlands, increasing local involvement in flood risk planning, implementing risk-informed land use regulations, and investing in flood infrastructures. To ensure effective flood risk management in Limbe, a collaborative bottom-up approach involving all stakeholders, especially marginalized community members, is necessary to tailor solutions that meet their needs.

US urban land-use reform: a strategy for energy sufficiency

Policy approaches to the global energy transition often focus on technology-based solutions while ignoring challenges of overall energy demand. A sufficiency-first approach aims to limit superfluous consumption while achieving wellbeing for all. This study focuses on US built environment mechanisms of sufficiency under urban land-use policy. The historical context of US exclusionary and car-oriented planning is reviewed with an order-of-magnitude assessment of the effects on greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). Using national vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) data derived from mobile device locations (Replica) and validated here with federal data, a hypothetical scenario explores the potential for state urban land-use reforms to enable energy sufficiency. Tenth percentile-VMT (per capita) neighborhoods are defined by state: in 47 states, the typical such neighborhood has less than 33% of its housing units in structures larger than four units. Assuming each state redresses its housing shortage while matching this VMT, 31 Mt CO2e (direct GHGE) and about 38 Mt CO2e (indirect and life-cycle GHGE) would be avoided in 2033. Texas, California, and Florida have the largest absolute emissions reduction opportunity. Urban land-use reforms comprise a logical starting point for a US sufficiency agenda. Key priorities for research, data collection, and technology and policy innovation are proposed. Policy relevance International climate policy is increasingly focused on enabling people to consume less energy: not just technological ‘efficiency’ but ‘sufficiency’ is needed. However, sufficiency has seen little uptake in the US. It may be more relevant to US policymakers if related to the growing momentum for reforming land-use planning and housing policy to address the housing shortage and affordability crisis. This crisis stems in part from the US prevalence of single-family zoning and car-centric planning, rooted in a history of racial segregation; these same laws effectively mandate people to maintain more polluting lifestyles. This study estimates how much climate pollution could be avoided with state-led land-use reform. If states committed to solving the housing shortage while building new housing in neighborhoods where people can drive less, the savings could be comparable with expanding electric vehicle policies. Policymakers and practitioners can enable these reforms while supporting complementary policy goals.

Exploring the Formation of Sustainable Entrepreneurial Intentions among Chinese University Students: A Dual Path Moderated Mediation Model

As Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) gain traction in Chinese society, fostering sustainable entrepreneurship among university students has emerged as a key priority for universities and governments. Methods for increasing students’ sustainable entrepreneurship skills and knowledge for the creation of sustainable startups have attracted substantial attention. This study constructs a moderated mediation model based on entrepreneurial cognition theory to investigate the mediating roles of opportunity identification and attitude in the relationship between sustainable entrepreneurship education and sustainable entrepreneurial intention among university students, in addition to the moderating effect of empathy. The study surveyed 307 students from universities in the Yangtze River Delta region and employed hierarchical regression analysis to test the hypotheses. The results indicate that sustainable entrepreneurship education enhances students’ sustainable entrepreneurial intention by fostering their opportunity identification and attitude, and this enhancement effect is stronger when their level of empathy is higher. These findings enrich entrepreneurial cognition and empathy theories within the context of sustainable entrepreneurship and offer valuable insights for universities and policymakers in developing strategies to support sustainable entrepreneurship among university students.

Addressing endogeneity in the relationship between early entry and performance: The case of foreign market expansion

Addressing endogeneity issues has been identified as a key priority for ensuring continued progress in the field of strategic management. We contribute to this research agenda by developing a generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation approach that accounts for endogeneity in dynamic models. To illustrate how endogeneity bias impedes reliable interpretation, we examine the relationship between early mover strategies and performance using data on multinational enterprises entering transition economies. Our empirical results demonstrate that early mover advantages are significantly greater after controlling for endogeneity. Additionally, we find evidence that the level of institutional development weakens the advantages of pursuing an early mover strategy in transition economies. After accounting for endogeneity, the negative moderating effect of institutional development is far more pronounced. The magnitude of these two biases underscore the necessity for scholars to adequately address endogeneity and how GMM estimation can facilitate in better understanding the performance implications of strategic choices.

What we owe (to) the present: Normative and practical challenges for strong longtermism

This paper critically examines the conceptual, normative, and practical challenges to strong longtermism—the view that the far future is the key priority in moral decision-making. The main challenge is that if we take strong longtermism seriously, it follows that harming present and near-future people is permissible, if not obligatory. Given that this conclusion is repugnant to most, we argue that strong longtermism must be substantially weakened. Furthermore, even if strong longtermists bite the bullet on the challenge of what we owe to the present, we raise a set of related concerns that demand attention. Specifically, we argue that it is questionable whether the far future can be a difference-maker in moral decision-making. Even if it could, our inability to predict or understand how the far future will unfold, or what values future generations will hold, severely limits our capacity to account for it. Finally, the implementation of strong longtermism requires a level of progressive moral reasoning that far exceeds our current cognitive and ethical capabilities. While these objections do not necessarily debunk strong longtermism, they seriously challenge its plausibility—as it currently stands.

International cooperation for the decarbonization of energy-intensive industries: unlocking the full potential

ABSTRACT This article investigates the state of global governance for the deep decarbonization of energy-intensive industries (EIIs) and identifies key options for mobilizing the so far underexploited potential of this global governance. Focusing on four main EIIs (i.e. iron and steel, cement and concrete, chemicals, and aluminium) the analysis is advanced in three steps. First, we establish the theoretical potential of international institutions to address the main barriers to EII decarbonization focusing on six main governance functions. Second, the article provides an up-to-date account of the global governance landscape for EII decarbonization and the contribution it has made to addressing the main barriers. This assessment also identifies major gaps and underexploited potentials of global governance. Finally, we systematically appraise key options for advancing global governance for EII decarbonization based on clear assessment criteria (membership, institutional capacity, legitimacy, feasibility). The major findings are that: (a) global governance has advanced significantly in the 2020s across all governance functions, in particular through the emergence of several initiatives focused on industrial decarbonization, including the recent Climate Club; (b) key priorities for advancing global EII decarbonization concern rules for collective action, means of implementation, landscape orchestration/coordination, and a more equal coverage of different sub-sectors and regions. We argue that the main barrier to addressing these priorities is rooted in (geo)politics rather than a lack of suitable institutions. Consequently, the global governance for EII decarbonization may best be advanced through incrementally developing existing rather than creating major new institutions.

Developing a National Study That Integrates the Geriatric Assessment into the Care of Older Patients with Myeloid Malignancies.

To highlight the priorities in geriatric assessment research in myeloid malignancies and discuss design considerations necessary to ensure research is patient-centric, generalizeable, and high quality. Older adults with myeloid malignancies including those who are perceived to have excellent performance status have multiple functional impairments. These impairments are associated with early mortality. Older adults have different functional trajectories through the course of treatment; this will be further investigated in our ongoing multicenter study. In a single-center study, we have demonstrated the use of geriatric assessment to guide treatment is feasible. Key priorities include designing a multicenter validation study to confirm the role of geriatric assessment in determining treatment tolerance and survival. Such a study should include core geriatric assessment measures and should enroll diverse patient population across various practices. Conducting such a study is necessary to advance patient care and trial design, and to open venues to conduct studies to confirm the role of geriatric assessment in treatment selection.

How the APHA Maternal and Child Health Section Advanced the Public Health Approach to Gun Violence Prevention.

This manuscript provides a history of efforts by the American Public Health Association (APHA) Maternal and Child Health Section (MCH Section) Gun Violence Prevention Workgroup (GVP Workgroup) to promote gun violence prevention (GVP) as a key public health priority both within the MCH Section and APHA, and nationally. The MCH Section established a gun violence prevention workgroup in response to the murders of twenty first-grade children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School. This article presents an overview of the accomplishments and challenges of the MCH Section GVP Workgroup in a context of ever-increasing gun violence. As of 2020, firearms became the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens. Over the past decade, a small group of volunteers helped maintain GVP as one of the top priorities of both the MCH Section and APHA. Endorsement by the MCH Section and APHA leadership facilitated MCH Section GVP Workgroup efforts including organizing a national conference, developing scientific sessions for APHA annual meetings, establishing coalitions, and providing ongoing education and outreach to APHA members. The MCH Section GVP Workgroup helped to both elevate and maintain focus on GVP as a top priority of the MCH Section and APHA, indirectly impacting national efforts to promote a public health approach to GVP. The ongoing epidemic of firearm violence highlights the importance of continuing and strengthening this work. Individuals at other national, state or local organizations might look to the efforts and accomplishment of the MCH Section GVP Workgroup in pursuing critical issues within their own organizations.