,Recognizing and Preventing Youth Violence, A Guide for Physicians & Other Health Care Professionals

Recognizing and Preventing Youth Violence, A Guide for Physicians & Other Health Care Professionals


 

Publication Date: January 2001

Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society

Author(s): Robert D. Sege, M.D., PhD; Vincent G. Licenziato

Research Area: Health; Social conditions

Keywords: youth violence ; violence prevention ; Health Care Services

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Violence is a leading cause of injury, death, and mental health problems for
America’s youth. Although physicians and other health care professionals have
always been involved in treating the results of violence, recent research and
practice suggest that they can also play a critical role in its prevention.

This guidebook stresses two opportunities for intervention and prevention: during a routine health care visit and when caring for a youth who has been injured. On these occasions it urges physicians to provide preventive education, screen for risk, and become linkages to intervention and follow-up services.

It was written to provide basic information about youth violence; describe risk factors and appropriate screening tools; suggest approaches to violence prevention and intervention; present ideas and resources for advocacy and research, and introduce the Massachusetts Medical Society’s Committee on Violence’s Violence Prevention for Children and Youth Parent Education Cards (Tip Cards).