Prevention Strategies

Youth violence is a serious problem that can have lasting harmful effects on victims and their family, friends, and communities. The goal for youth violence prevention is simple-to stop youth violence from happening in the first place. But the solutions are as complex as the problem.

Prevention efforts should ultimately reduce risk factors and promote protective factors. In addition, prevention should address all levels that influence youth violence: individual, relationship, community, and society. Effective prevention strategies are necessary to promote awareness about youth violence and to foster the commitment to social change.

Youth violence prevention-one of the oldest fields in violence-continues to advance rapidly. Many prevention tools have been developed and implemented, with a growing body of data available on the outcomes. This literature has been summarized and promising resources have been identified.

 

Effective and Promising Programs

 

Best Practices of Youth Violence Prevention: A Sourcebook for Community Action

This publication examines the effectiveness of specific violence prevention practices in four key areas: parents and families, home visiting, social and conflict resolution skills, and mentoring. It also documents the science behind each best practice and offers a comprehensive directory of resources for more information about programs that have used these practices.

Blueprints for Violence Prevention*

Blueprints is a national violence prevention initiative to identify violence prevention programs that are effective. The initiative has identified 11 prevention and intervention programs that meet a strict scientific standard of program effectiveness. The initiative has also identified 18 promising programs.

Community Guide to Helping America's Youth*

The Community Guide to Helping America's Youth helps caring adults connect with the youth in their families, schools, and communities. It encourages Americans to make an even bigger difference by forming partnerships to implement programs that have been proven to help youth. The Guide reflects the most up-to-date research on youth development and effective programs. A coalition of experts from the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Education, Agriculture, Labor, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development; the Office of National Drug Control Policy; and the Corporation for National and Community Service developed the guide.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Model Programs

The SAMHSA Model Programs have been tested in communities, schools, social service organizations, and workplaces across America; many of these model programs show a reduction in substance abuse and other related high-risk behaviors.

Surgeon General's Report on Youth Violence

This report clarifies trends in youth violence, identifies risk factors, and reviews the effectiveness of specific prevention strategies.

Systematic Reviews

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2007). The effectiveness of universal school-based programs for the prevention of violent and aggressive behavior: A report on recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. MMWR, 56 (No. RR-7),1-12. Available in PDF
• Hahn R, Fuqua-Whitley D, Lowry J, et al. The effectiveness of universal school-based programs for the prevention of violence: A report on recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. American Journal of Preventive Medicine (forthcoming).
• Wilson SJ, Lipsey MW, Derzon JH. The effects of school-based intervention programs on aggressive behavior: A meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2003;71:136-49.

World Report on Violence and Health*

[PDF 278 KB]
This report is the first comprehensive review of the problem of violence on a global scale. Chapter 2 provides detailed information on youth violence, including prevention strategies.

 

Guidelines and Planning Tools

 

School Health Guidelines to Prevent Unintentional Injuries and Violence

The guidelines help state and local educational agencies and schools promote safety and teach students the skills needed to prevent injuries and violence. It provides guidance for all components of a coordinated school health program for all grade levels.

School Health Index (SHI)

SHI is a self-assessment and planning tool that enables a school to identify the strengths and weaknesses of its health and safety policies and programs; develop an action plan for improving student health and safety; and involve teachers, parents, students, and the community in improving school services.

 

Other Resources

CDC's Extramural Research Program

CDC funds universities, medical centers and other outside organizations to conduct research related to youth violence prevention.

National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center

The Resource Center is an online source for information and materials gathered from institutions, community-based organizations, and federal agencies working to prevent violence among our nation's youth. The Center's website, toll-free hotline, and fax-on-demand service offer access to information about prevention programs, publications, research and statistics, and fact sheets.

Preventing Youth Violence: Program Activities Guide

This guide describes CDC's public health activities and research to prevent youth violence.