Youth violence in the city: the role of educational interventions

Interpersonal violence is a major cause of ill health in urban communities and a significant social and political problem. The epidemiology of interpersonal violence is summarized, highlighting the fact the youth are overrepresented as victims and perpetrators of violence. General areas of agreement and disagreement about programmatic approaches to reducing youth violence are summarized, emphasizing that the most effective programs are comprehensive and integrated and incorporate multiple strategies at multiple levels in multiple settings. Four types of educational strategies to reduce youth violence are summarized: conflict management skills training, youth-operated programs, psychoeducational strategies, and family-based educational strategies. Exemplars of each are presented, and their strengths and weaknesses are discussed. Strategies to implement effective programs are summarized, and the policy and program planning implications of what is known are discussed.