Youth Violence Prevention: A call to action for public health
Abstract
Violence is an urgent public health problem linked to significant mortality and life-long physical, emotional, economic and multi-generational consequences. Youth violence affects young people and their families, schools, and communities. More than 1,000 youth are treated in emergency departments for physical assault-related injuries and the estimated cost of youth violence amounts to nearly $100 billion annually. Homicide is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 10-24 and there are significant disparities putting some youth at much greater risk than others (CDC 2022).The goal of primary prevention of violence is to stop it before it begins and requires understanding the factors that influence youth violence. Using the Social-Ecological model as a framework for prevention, violence prevention efforts focus on the complex interplay between individual, relationship, community, and societal factors (CDC, 2020). This session will explore the public health approach to violence prevention, highlighting the work of the CDC Division of Violence Prevention and their 2020-2024 strategic priorities: 1) Increase the number of people exposed to proven violence reduction strategies; 2) Reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences; 3) Expand understanding of how to prevent firearm related injuries and deaths. Participants will gain knowledge about integrating violence prevention strategies into public health practice for the benefit of their clients and communities. This content has implications for all 10 essential Public Health Services.
Keywords
violence, violence prevention, youth violence, gun violence, Adverse childhood Experiences, health disparities
Youth Violence Prevention: A call to action for public health
Violence is an urgent public health problem linked to significant mortality and life-long physical, emotional, economic and multi-generational consequences. Youth violence affects young people and their families, schools, and communities. More than 1,000 youth are treated in emergency departments for physical assault-related injuries and the estimated cost of youth violence amounts to nearly $100 billion annually. Homicide is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 10-24 and there are significant disparities putting some youth at much greater risk than others (CDC 2022).The goal of primary prevention of violence is to stop it before it begins and requires understanding the factors that influence youth violence. Using the Social-Ecological model as a framework for prevention, violence prevention efforts focus on the complex interplay between individual, relationship, community, and societal factors (CDC, 2020). This session will explore the public health approach to violence prevention, highlighting the work of the CDC Division of Violence Prevention and their 2020-2024 strategic priorities: 1) Increase the number of people exposed to proven violence reduction strategies; 2) Reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences; 3) Expand understanding of how to prevent firearm related injuries and deaths. Participants will gain knowledge about integrating violence prevention strategies into public health practice for the benefit of their clients and communities. This content has implications for all 10 essential Public Health Services.
