February 2001 • Volume 7 Number 2
Academy committed to finding the problem of youth violence solutions
Youth violence is one of the most daunting problems facing the United States: The nation has the highest youth homicide and suicide rates among the world's 26 wealthiest nations.
The AAFP has made a firm commitment to finding solutions to the epidemic of youth violence, as evidenced by its participation in the Commission for the Prevention of Youth Violence.
"In order to change this epidemic, we must protect our children from witnessing violence and teach them how to resolve conflicts peacefully," said Carolyn Lopez, M.D., of Chicago, vice speaker of the AAFP Congress of Delegates. Lopez contributed to the work of the commission.
The coalition of 10 health care groups, established in October 1999, is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The panel researched youth violence and developed an action plan to help health care professionals and others learning how to take active roles in violence prevention.
The commission's report, "Youth and Violence," was made public in December at the National Press Club in Washington.
The report's executive summary outlines priorities and key recommendations, such as:
- support and promotion of healthy families and communities;
- early identification of and intervention for families at risk;
- increased access to health and mental health care;
- reduction of youth access to firearms;
- a call for national advocacy, legislation and funding; and
- a reduction of exposure to media violence.
"Over the last 10 or 15 years, there's been an escalation of violent behavior among our youth that has reached epidemic proportions," said Board Chair Bruce Bagley, M.D., of Albany, N.Y., AAFP's commissioner on the panel. "Our society needs to address the issue of youth violence, and the Academy is proud to be part of this organized approach to improving the situation in our country."
A free copy of the "Youth and Violence" executive summary is available from AAFP by calling (800) 944-0000. Ask for item #R937. There is a prepaid $3 shipping charge. You can download the full report at http://www.ama-assn.org/violence on the Internet.
FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department.
Copyright © 2001 by American Academy of Family Physicians.
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