Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the issue of violence in Jamaica needs to be treated as a public health crisis.

Mr. Holness, who was speaking at a Diaspora town hall meeting in Trinidad last evening (August 29), noted that violence is one of the leading causes of death in Jamaica and by extension the wider Caribbean.

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, more than 968 people have been murdered in the country so far this year.

Mr. Holness said to effectively address this issue of violence it must be looked at from a public health point of view.

He pointed to the implementation of a National Commission for the Prevention of Violence, as one strategy of dealing with the issue.

Mr. Holness noted, however, that more focus will have to be placed on social work.

He noted that the country’s violence situation will not change overnight, but if the Government does not act immediately, future generations will suffer.