| Youth Violence Overview |
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Youth violence is a significant public health concern that results in deaths and injuries. In addition to causing injury and death, youth violence affects communities with associated direct and indirect costs such as increased cost of health care and lost productivity. The following statistics provide an overview of youth violence in the United States.
- In 2003, 5,570 young people ages 10 to 24 were murdered-an average of 15 each day. Of these victims, 82% were killed with firearms (CDC 2006).
- In 2004, more than 750,000 young people ages 10 to 24 were treated in emergency departments for injuries sustained due to violence (CDC 2006).
- In a nationwide survey of high school students (CDC 2004):
- 33% reported being in a physical fight one or more times in the 12 months preceding the survey.
- 17% reported carrying a weapon (e.g., gun, knife, or club) on one or more of the 30 days preceding the survey.
An estimated 30% of 6th to 10th graders in the United States were involved in bullying as a bully, a target of bullying, or both (Nansel et al. 2001).
For more information visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/yvfacts.htm |
| Local Health Department in Action: Pima County, Arizona Breaking the Cycle Program |
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 The purpose of the Breaking the Cycle program is to reduce young children's exposure to violence and to ultimately decrease the number of juvenile delinquents through prevention, early detection and intervention services. Breaking the Cycle (BTC) is a collaboration between local law enforcement, Victim Witness Program, the health department, and the Second Step Violence Prevention Program.
BTC was developed in response to increasing violence among children and adolescents in Pima County. As the result of a community needs assessment, the recommendation was made to address the delinquency following risk factors: trauma experienced by children exposed to family violence, early initiation of aggressive behavior, and family conflict. The focus on prevention rather than intervention makes BTC unique, since many programs dealing with juvenile delinquency focus on the child after delinquent behavior has occurred. BTC is innovative in that it focuses on children ages 0-6 years.
NACCHO's Model Practices Program is an awards program and highlights innovative public health practices across the country. To learn more about the Model Practices Program or to view the online database visit http://www.naccho.org/topics/modelpractices/
For more information about the Breaking the Cycle Program visit http://www.naccho.org/topics/modelpractices/database/practice.cfm?PracticeID=51 |
| Resources and Reports |
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| Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General
The immediate impetus for this Surgeon General's Report on Youth Violence was the Columbine High School tragedy that occurred in Colorado in April 1999, resulting in the deaths of 14 students, including 2 perpetrators, and a teacher. In the aftermath of that shocking event, both the Administration and Congress requested a report summarizing what research has revealed to us about youth violence, its causes, and its prevention.
A service of the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus brings together information from government and health-related organizations. This site compiles research, latest news, and resources on youth violence.
This knowledge path about adolescent violence prevention has been compiled by the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Library at Georgetown University. The volume of materials on this topic is vast and covers many disciplines. This path offers a selection of recent, high-quality resources from these disciplines that measure, document, and monitor the problem; identify risk and protective factors; and report on promising intervention strategies. Separate sections identify resources on specific aspects of adolescent violence such as bullying, firearms, gangs, media violence, school violence, and violent-crime victimization. |
| Prevention Program Clearinghouses |
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This section links to resources that can be helpful in planning youth violence prevention and education programs.
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| News |
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Research Study on Youth Violence
A new study finds that people who suffer certain kinds of abuse or neglect as children are more likely than their peers to perpetrate both youth violence and intimate partner violence (IPV). "Child Maltreatment, Youth Violence, and Intimate Partner Violence - Developmental Relationships" is published in the October issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. It examines the relationship between child maltreatment and perpetration of youth violence and IPV, and between child maltreatment and being a victim of youth violence and IPV.
Compared with non-victims, the study finds, victims of child maltreatment are more likely to commit youth violence (up to 7 percent more likely for females and 12 percent more likely for males). They are also more likely to commit young adult IPV (up to 10 percent more likely for females and 17 percent more likely for males). Researchers conclude that preventing child maltreatment may be key to preventing youth violence, and that interventions targeting youth violence may help prevent future domestic and dating violence.
Effectiveness of School-Based Programs for Violence Prevention
The Task Force on Community Preventive Services reviewed published scientific evidence on the effectiveness of universal school-based programs to reduce or prevent violent behavior. This evidence proves that these programs decrease rates of violence and aggressive behavior among school-aged children. All grade levels demonstrated program effects, and an independent meta-analysis confirmed and supplemented these findings. Consequently, the Task Force recommends using universal school-based programs to prevent or reduce violent behavior. To read the report visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5607a1.htm?s_cid=rr5607a1_e
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| Upcoming Conferences/Events |
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November 8-10, 2007, Rochester, NY
Search Institute Healthy Communities Healthy Youth Conference
Designed for people who work with or care about youth, this one-of-a-kind conference brings together people from different community sectors nationally and internationally who share a common goal: to work together to promote positive youth development through asset building. Further information and registration at http://www.search-institute.org/hchy/.
November 14-17, 2007, Baltimore, MD
On Their Turf: Creative Approaches to Supporting Teens and Young Families
The Healthy Teen Network will host a conference for educators, health care providers, education officials, lawmakers and community partners interested in promoting positive outcomes for teens. The conference will address pregnancy and sexuality education, interpersonal violence, teen families, and male involvement. It will showcase tools and creative approaches to engage teens and young families. For more information, visit http://healthyteenconference.org/default.aspx.
December 9-12, 2007, New Orleans, LA
National Youth Court Conference
The conference is designed to assist communities in developing, implementing, and enhancing effective youth court programs, sharing three fundamental principles: holding youth accountable for delinquent and problem behavior; educating youth about the legal and judicial systems; empowering youth to help their communities solve problems. More information at http://www.ncjfcj.org/content/view/1027/315/
March 2-8, 2008, Savannah, GA
National At-Risk Youth Conference
The conference trains adults who serve youth to create safe, healthy, caring, and intellectually empowering educational environments that foster the well-being of all children and adolescents. Sponsored by College of Education at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA and the Continuing Education Center at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA. More information at http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/yar2008.html
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| Funding Opportunities |
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| Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.)The U.S. Department of Justice will award grants of up to $150,000 to prevent youth gang activity under its Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program. Similar to the D.A.R.E. program, G.R.E.A.T. relies on police officers to deliver lessons to youth in a bid to prevent delinquency, violence, and gang membership. Officers attempt to develop youth life skills to help students avoid violence and delinquent behavior. Application deadline is Dec. 13. For more information visit http://www.great-online.org/
Helping Outreach Programs to Expand - Victims of Crime.The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime will provide up to $10,000 each to grassroots community- and faith-based victim service organizations and coalitions to help them improve their outreach and services to crime victims, through support of program development, networking, coalition building, and service delivery. Funds may be used to develop program literature, train advocates, produce a newsletter, support victim outreach efforts, and recruit volunteers. More information at http://www.ovc.gov/fund/expandingoutreach/welcome.html.
NACCHO Foundation Funding Guide
NACCHO works with The Foundation Center to identify public health-related funding resources at the national and state levels from private foundations. Each month, we highlight one area of public health. To view the foundation funding guide on injury and violence prevention visit http://www.naccho.org/topics/fundingguide/fundingmap_july07.cfm | |
