CDC Special Supplement: Issues, Evidence and Public Health Implications of Protective Factors for Youth Violence Perpetration

Homicide continues to be the second leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24, and the leading cause of death for African American youth. More than 700,000 young people ages 10 to 24 were treated in emergency departments in 2010 for injuries sustained due to violence. But responding to violence after it happens is only part of the solution. We must prevent youth violence before it begins. In addition, most youth, even those living in high risk situations, are not violent and more must be learned about the factors that are helping youth, protecting them from engaging in violent behavior so that others can benefit. One critical step is a better understanding of the factors that protect youth from engaging in violence. To inform prevention efforts that enhance protective influences, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control convened a panel with expertise in youth development, violence prevention, and analytic methods.

This special supplement of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Protective Factors for Youth Violence Perpetration Issues, Evidence, and Public Health Implications*, is the first publication developed from the panel’s work. Its primary purpose is to increase understanding of protective factors for youth violence perpetration by clarifying methods for conceptualizing, measuring, and distinguishing risk and protective effects.

Related Links

• Violence Prevention
• Youth Violence Prevention
• STRYVE (Striving To Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere)
  This site helps promote the use of youth violence prevention approaches that are based upon the best available evidence.
• UNITY (Urban Networks Increasing Thriving Youth)
  This site promotes and enhances the work of large urban areas to enhance their readiness for violence prevention, helps organize their planning, and increases their capacity to address youth violence using a public health approach.
• National Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention
  National Centers of Excellence work to reduce youth violence in high–risk communities by implementing and evaluating a comprehensive strategy to prevent youth violence.
• American Journal of Preventive Medicine
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* Select supplements from the “Articles & Issues” dropdown menu then select the following criteria (Decade: 2010-2012; Year: 2012; Issues: Vol. 43 No. 2 August, 2012 p S1-S84 Supplement 1)