Citation

Cruz M, Taylor D. Int. J. Child Adolesc. Health 2009; 2(1): 3-12.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Nova Science Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

Inner-city violence (ICV) has emerged as a public health crisis and is the major cause of death for adolescents in many American cities. African-American males are disproportionately affected by this issue. Unique factors that contribute to ICV include: chronic poverty, the persistent threat of violent injury, the "code of the streets", drug trafficking, gang activity, hopelessness, and race. Exposure to ICV is chronic and begins during early childhood. By late adolescence nearly all inner-city children have witnessed ICV. The physical and psychological consequences of this exposure are profound. Fearful parents can protect their children by maximizing protective factors and minimizing risk factors, especially by avoiding exposure to violence of all types. Pediatricians lack training and are unfamiliar with the cultural and community contributors to ICV. This article reviews the epidemiology of ICV, its effects on children, risk and protective factors, and advice for pediatricians who struggle with this issue.