NCJ Number
242570
Date Published
January 2009
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This guide describes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) public health activities and research in its efforts to prevent youth violence.
Abstract
These efforts stem from data collected by the CDC that indicate homicide is the second leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds. For this age group, homicide is the leading cause of death among African-Americans, the second leading cause of death among Hispanics, and the third leading cause of death among American Indians. In 2002, 5,219 youth ages 15 to 24 were murdered - an average of 14 per day, in response to this public-health threat, the CDC is focusing its injury and violence-prevention efforts on primary prevention and early intervention, which involves preventing youth violence before it occurs. The CDC's key areas for violence prevention are surveillance, research, capacity-building, communication, partnership, and leadership. CDC's violence-prevention efforts are conducted in collaboration with other Federal agencies, State and local health departments, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, international agencies, and private industry. In addition to an emphasis on primary prevention, CDC's violence-prevention activities are characterized by a commitment to advancing the science of prevention; translating scientific advances into practical application through evidence-based programs and policies; and building on the efforts of others by addressing gaps or needs. This guide summarizes CDC-supported activities under various categories of action. These categories are monitoring, tracking, and researching the problem; developing and evaluating prevention strategies; supporting and enhancing prevention programs; providing prevention resources; and encouraging research and development.