Youth Violence, Public Health, & Intersectionality

• In Event: Public Health and Criminology: Integrating Approaches for Collaborative Success

Abstract

A number of youth violence prevention programs have been put forth as examples of interdisciplinary public health and criminology approaches; yet little attention has been paid to the to the public health violence prevention framework in those classifications. A comparative analysis is used to assess current youth violence prevention approaches relative to the public health violence prevention framework. Attention to intersectionality, including race, ethnicity, and disability, are emphasized. Both program and policy examples help to illuminate both the benefits and the challenges in integrating criminology and public health approaches while attending to intersectionality. Key discussion points include how a public health framework can be applied to improve neighborhood support, reduce gang activity, and alleviate community trauma. Model policies and programs that combine best practice knowledge from both fields will be discussed in order to provide direction in moving this integrated approach forward.

Author

• Erika Gebo, Suffolk University