NCJ Number
209527
Journal
American Journal of Preventive Medicine Volume: 28 Issue: 2S1 Dated: February 2005 Pages: 6-10
Editor(s)
Kevin Patrick M.D.,
F. Douglas Scutchfield M.D.
Date Published
February 2005
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article presents recommendations from an evaluation of three approaches to the prevention of violence: early childhood home visitation, therapeutic foster care, and firearms laws and represents the work of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services.
Abstract
Reducing violence-related morbidity and mortality is a major goal of public health. The Task Force on Community Preventive Services, an independent, nonfederal group evaluated the evidence of effectiveness of three approaches to the prevention of violence: firearms laws, early childhood home visitation, and therapeutic foster care. This article presents recommendations from the evaluation of these three types of interventions through evidence reviews and the translating of the evidence of effectiveness. In evaluating the effectiveness of firearms laws, scientific evidence was reviewed and found insufficient evidence in each area reviewed to determine effectiveness. In evaluating the effectiveness of early childhood home visitation (the visitation of parent(s) and child or children in their home), reviews assessed studies examining four violent outcomes (i.e. violence by the visited child, violence by the visited parent, intimate partner violence against the visited parent, and violence against the child). Lastly, in evaluating therapeutic foster care programs, studies were reviewed and identified two related interventions (i.e. cluster therapeutic foster care and program-intensive therapeutic care) that differed in certain program components and in populations treated. The article summarizes the findings of systematic reviews of the effects of firearms laws, early childhood home visitation, and therapeutic foster care on violent outcomes. The findings and recommendations should prove to be a useful and powerful tool for many public health policymakers, program planners, and researchers. References