Preventing Youth Violence and Crime: Actions for Communities

• In Event: Preventing Youth Violence

Abstract

Youth violence and crime are significant public health and safety issues that can be stopped before they occur. Increased implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies in combination with existing suppression and re-entry approaches can stem the tide. Decades of research have resulted in prevention strategies that save $3-$49/dollar invested as the result of lower costs for treating injuries and for arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating offenders. However, communities struggle to take advantage of what is known to work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is bridging the gap between science and practice with its latest resource that summarizes what is known about youth violence and effective prevention strategies to address individual, relationship, community, and societal risk factors. This presentation will outline the evidence-based prevention strategies that can lower the risk for violence and sustain improvements. Concrete, action steps that community leaders, public health, families, adults who work with youth, and young people can take also will be presented. Finally, CDC’s technical assistance and online resources that help communities develop multisector partnerships and design comprehensive evidence-based prevention strategies will be discussed.

Authors

• Corinne David-Ferdon, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Thomas R. Simon, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention