NCJ Number
148206
Date Published
1993
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings and recommendations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Secretary's Blue Ribbon Panel on Violence Prevention, which was charged with reviewing the Department's violence prevention programs and recommending ways to strengthen them.
Abstract
The panel was established in the context of Secretary Sullivan's meeting with a number of consultants from multiple disciplines and representatives from the minority communities who were concerned about allegations of inappropriate race-related research on violent behavior and countermeasures. Panel members were provided materials that described the Department's research and prevention activities. Federal agency staff were available to the panel to answer questions and provide background information throughout the review process. After reviewing all of the Department's abstracts (224) of research related to antisocial, aggressive, and violent behavior, as well as 28 research projects selected for closer scrutiny, the panel found no evidence to support allegations of race-related research. Specifically, no research attempted to establish a genetic correlation between race and violent behavior. Neither was there any research that targeted African- American male youths, ages 5 to 9 years, for behavioral control through medication. The panel concluded that the Department's violence-prevention programs (psychosocial, community-based interventions) are appropriate for this major public health problem. The panel recommends that the Federal Government, in conjunction with States and local communities, mount public community education and information campaigns to maximize the potential for an effective public-health approach to violence. Suggestions for reviewing and monitoring violence-related research projects are offered. Appended summary of panel workgroup deliberations and a bibliography of materials provided to the panel.