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Preventing Violence in At-Risk African-American Youth
- Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
- Johns Hopkins University Press
- Volume 2, Number 3, Winter 1991
- pp. 359-373
- 10.1353/hpu.2010.0341
- Article
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Homicide and nonfatal injuries resulting from interpersonal violence are significant contributors to the excess early mortality and morbidity of African-American youth. Although there is growing recognition of the need for prevention programs specifically directed to these youth, culturally relevant programs to reduce aggression and victimization in high-risk racial and ethnic groups are virtually nonexistent. This article reports preliminary findings of a program to train African-American adolescents in social skills, an approach which shows promise as a means of preventing violence. The pilot study suggests a need for continued research on this and other prevention approaches to reduce the disproportionate-and preventable-risk of injury or death for this vulnerable population.