The Longer-Term and Health Effects of an Experiment to Reduce Gun Violence
Community violence interventions aim to reduce shootings by providing services to those at highest risk of shooting or being shot. Our previous study of READI Chicago—a program offering 18 months of supported work and cognitive behavioral therapy to men at high shooting risk—showed mixed results during the 20-month program period, with large declines in shooting arrest and victimization among a subgroup referred by local outreach workers. This paper adds data through 40 months post-randomization, after programming ended, as well as hospital records providing both alternative violence measures and other health outcomes. The presentation will discuss 40-month results, including the persistence of previous crime results, new health outcomes, and updated benefit-cost comparisons.
Sara Heller is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Michigan. She studies interventions to reduce crime and improve other life outcomes among disadvantaged youth. She uses large-scale experiments to isolate the causal effects of a variety of programs, including cognitive behavioral therapy-based interventions and summer jobs.
