Preventing Youth Violence: Opportunities for Action

1 Preventing Youth violence : Opportunities for ActionTMNational center for Injury prevention and ControlDivision of violence PreventionPreventing Youth violence : Opportunities for Action is a publication of the National center for Injury prevention and control , Centers for disease control and for disease control and PreventionThomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, DirectorNational center for Injury prevention and ControlDaniel M. Sosin, MD, MPH, FACP, Acting DirectorDivision of violence PreventionHoward Spivak, MD, DirectorSuggested citation: David-Ferdon C, Simon TR.

2 Preventing Youth violence : Opportunities for Action . Atlanta, GA: National center for Injury prevention and control , centers for disease control and prevention , Youth violence : Opportunities for Action 1 Preventing Youth violence : Opportunities for ActionDeveloped By:Corinne David-Ferdon, PhDThomas R. Simon, PhDCopy Editing and Layout By:Alida KnuthJune 2014 Centers for disease control and PreventionNational center for Injury prevention and ControlDivsion of violence PreventionAtlanta, GeorgiaPreventing Youth violence : Opportunities for Action 3 Table of ContentsForeword.

3 4 Preventing Youth violence : Opportunities for Action ..5 Focus on Youth violence prevention ..6 Youth violence : A Leading Cause of Death and Physical Injury for Young People..7 violence -related Behaviors Reported by Youth ..7 Youth violence Remains a Critical Problem..8 The Impact of Youth violence Is Not the Same for All Young People and Communities ..10 Youth violence Is a Costly Problem..13 There Is Not Just One Cause of Youth violence ..14 Early prevention Is Important..16 Importance of Broad prevention Strategies ..16 Evidence-based Youth violence prevention .

4 17 Key prevention Strategies ..18 Evidence-based prevention Approaches and Programs, Policies, and Practices Are Available to Move Youth violence prevention Strategies Forward ..21 Evidence that Youth violence Can Be Prevented..24 prevention Can Save Money ..27 Partners and Leaders in Understanding and Preventing Youth violence ..28 Role of CDC in Youth violence prevention ..29 Implementing Evidence-based Youth violence prevention Activities..30 Opportunities for Action ..31 Seizing the Opportunity and Responsibility to Prevent Youth violence ..42 References.

5 43 Acknowledgements ..49 Appendix A. Development of Preventing Youth violence : Opportunities for Action ..504 Preventing Youth violence : Opportunities for ActionForewordEvery time a young person is harmed by violence , our nation s future strength and growth are jeopardized. We are losing our next generation of young people our future community builders and leaders to homicide at an alarming rate. Beyond premature death, Youth violence causes emotional, academic, and physical scars that limit young people s potential independence, growth, and success.

6 When the Opportunities of our young people are curtailed by Youth violence , we all suffer the negative and long-lasting and experience in communities show it is possible to prevent Youth violence . The centers for disease control and prevention s (CDC) Preventing Youth violence : Opportunities for Action and its companion guide will help communities use strategies that are known to work. We have the knowledge, experience, and scientifically supported strategies to take steps today that can make real and lasting differences in our communities. Part of what we have learned is that we can all be part of the solution.

7 Suggested actions are provided for all members of a community who can help make neighborhoods safer and reduce Youth Youth violence has far reaching benefits for our health, safety, and prosperity. The prevention of Youth violence can lower the risk for other Youth -related problems, such as alcohol and substance abuse, obesity, and academic failure, and can result in cost savings for our justice, education, and health service systems. That is why it is so important for communities to take Action to prevent Youth violence . Youth violence is not just a law enforcement problem or an issue for schools to address.

8 Youth violence is a public health problem. Public health professionals and other community leaders have critical roles to play in working across sectors to take Action to prevent violence . Community members, Youth , and adults who care for Youth also have important roles to play in Preventing violence , and their actions can contribute to the development of safe and supportive communities where young people can reach their full the past two decades, CDC has worked to prevent Youth violence before it starts. This resource that describes evidence-based actions for communities is an example of CDC s work to share information so that communities can more effectively prevent Youth violence .

9 The evidence-based strategies and Opportunities for Action presented in this resource make me confident that we can all do our part to prevent Youth Spivak, MD, DirectorDivision of violence PreventionNational center for Injury prevention and ControlCenters for disease control and PreventionHoward Spivak, MD, DirectorDivision of violence PreventionPreventing Youth violence : Opportunities for Action 5 Preventing Youth violence : Opportunities for ActionAll forms of violence , including Youth violence , suicidal behavior, child maltreatment, sexual violence , intimate partner violence , and elder abuse, negatively affect the health and well-being of our country.

10 Youth violence , in particular, is a significant public health problem. Each and every day, approximately 13 young people in the United States are victims of homicide and an additional 1,642 visit our hospital emergency departments because of physical assault-related Among high school students, 1 in 4 report being in at least one physical fight and 1 in 5 report being bullied in the last Youth who are victims of violence also have a higher risk for many other poor physical and mental health problems, including smoking, obesity, high-risk sexual behavior, asthma, depression, academic problems.