@article{ref1,
title="Youth violence as a public health problem",
journal="Spectrum: the journal of state government",
year="1993",
author="Mercy, James A.",
volume="66",
number="3",
pages="26-30",
abstract="VioLit summary: OBJECTIVE:The goal of this article by Mercy was to review recent research on American youth violence within the context of public health.METHODOLOGY:A non-experimental literature review was conducted. The author defined youth as 12 to 24 year-olds.FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:The author began by reporting recent statistics on youth arrest rates and homicide rates (both victims and offenders), including racial/ethnic breakdowns. Youth violence in America since the mid-1980's has escalated. Minority youth homicide rates had dramatically increased. Youth arrest rates for violent crimes (including homicide) had substantially increased. Homicide offender and victim average ages had dropped. Finally, increases in firearm homicides were argued to have caused most of the recent increases in youth homicide rates.The author argued that the public health sector was best suited to lead efforts in the prevention of injuries and deaths that result from youth violence. Public health added a prevention focus to this issue. Public health brought a scientific model of problem solving. Public health had the possibility of mobilizing a variety of resources toward the prevention of youth injuries and deaths. Keeping these points in mind, the author outlined a prevention strategy for youth violence. The Center for Disease Control offered a specific two-part strategy: 1) activities to reduce youths' immediate risks of perpetrating and being victimized, and 2) activities to reduce younger children's (up to 10 years old) risks of perpetrating and being victimized.The Center for Disease Control implemented different stages of the following 6 kinds of activities. First, data collection and surveillance activities monitored and documented levels and locations of youth violence and related injuries. Second, risk factor identification activities categorized both protective and risk factors relating to youth violence. Third, evaluation research assessed the outcomes of various intervention programs. Fourth, community demonstration programs increased the ability for local and state agencies to deliver successful youth violence interventions. Fifth, training programs built up teams of qualified leaders and facilitators. Finally, public awareness activities increased public knowledge of youth violence as a public health issue and the intervention/prevention programs that were being tested.AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS:The author recommended that communities take the initiative in requesting that the Center for Disease Control bring demonstration projects to address their local youth violence problems.EVALUATION:In general, this article provides a persuasive argument for both studying and confronting the problem of youth violence within the context of public health. Though written in 1993, this piece may still provide useful statistics and solution models for current grant proposals. In conclusion, this piece addresses important issues, but more recent statistics are required in order to reassess the validity of the author's arguments.(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)KW  - Literature ReviewKW  - Public Health ApproachKW  - Juvenile HomicideKW  - Juvenile InjuryKW  - Juvenile OffenderKW  - Juvenile ViolenceKW  - Juvenile VictimKW  - Victimization PreventionKW  - Victimization RatesKW  - Victimization Incidence and PrevalenceKW  - Violence PreventionKW  - Violence RatesKW  - Violence Incidence and PrevalenceKW  - Injury PreventionKW  - Injury RatesKW  - Injury Incidence and PrevalenceKW  - Statistical DataKW  - Juvenile VictimKW  - Prevention RecommendationsKW  - Prevention ProgramKW  - Program RecommendationsKW  - Homicide PreventionKW  - Homicide RatesKW  - Homicide Incidence and Prevalence<p />",
language="",
issn="1067-8530",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}