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Mehari KR, Smith PN, Morton BC, Billingsley JL, Coleman JN, Farrell AD. Challenges in Evaluating a Community-Level Intervention to Address Root Causes of Youth Violence. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2024:10.1007/s11121-024-01678-7. [PMID: 38733468 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-024-01678-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Violence disproportionately impacts Black American youth, representing a major health disparity. Addressing the possible root causes of structural inequities to reduce violence may increase the impact of prevention strategies. However, efforts to evaluate the impact of such interventions pose numerous methodological challenges, particularly around selecting an effective evaluation design to detect change at the community level, with adequate power and sampling, and appropriate constructs and measurement strategies. We propose a multiple baseline experimental design to evaluate the impact of a community-level youth violence and suicidality prevention strategy. A multiple baseline experimental design with multiple community units balances the need for scientific rigor with practical and values-based considerations. It includes randomization and plausible counterfactuals without requiring large samples or placing some communities in the position of not receiving the intervention. Considerations related to the conceptualization of the logic model, mechanisms of change, and health disparity outcomes informed the development of the measurement strategy. The strengths and weaknesses of a multiple baseline experimental design are discussed in comparison to versions of randomized clinical trials. Future health disparity intervention evaluation research will benefit from (1) building a shared sense of urgent public need to promote health; (2) respecting the validity of values- and partnership-based decision-making; and (3) promoting community-based and systems-level partnerships in scientific grant funding. The described study has been registered prospectively at clinicaltrials.gov, Protocol Record 21-454.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista R Mehari
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Phillip N Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
| | - Benterah C Morton
- Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
| | | | - Jasmine N Coleman
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Albert D Farrell
- Clark-Hill Institute for Positive Youth Development & Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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Sigel EJ, Ladika A, Mattson SA. Evaluating the function and psychometric properties of a violence risk screening tool in a community sample of adolescents. Aggress Behav 2024; 50:e22122. [PMID: 38268386 DOI: 10.1002/ab.22122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Youth violence continues to be widespread. Despite numerous evidence-based programs that reduce youth violence, objective ways to identify youth in need of services is lacking. Few screening tools are available that enables practitioners or community organizations to predict who may perpetrate serious violence. The Violence Injury Protection and Risk Screen (VIPRS) is a previously validated screening tool providing a framework to address youth violence. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the VIPRS in a community sample for use in multiple settings. Youth participating in a community-focused youth violence prevention intervention served as the study subjects. Households with youth ages 10-17 were eligible to participate. Study personnel verbally asked youth survey questions and recorded answers on a laptop. Multiple measures-including risk factors for violent behavior as well as, violence and delinquency scales, were asked. Eleven hundred youth participated. Mean age was 13.3; 53% female, 26% Black, 58% Hispanic, 11% more than 1 race. Twenty percent screened positive on the VIPRS-28% male versus 13% female (p = .000). Violence-related behaviors were common: 33% were in a physical fight, 27% experienced cyberbullying victimization, and 9% perpetrated a minor assault. The VIPRS demonstrated robust criterion validity with significant correlation to multiple violence measures (0.3-0.6). Scoring positive on the VIPRS conveyed increased odds of reporting other violent behaviors, such as perpetrating physical aggression (OR: 7 [95% CI: 5.1-11.5]). Overall, the VIPRS performed well in a community sample of youth further validating its psychometric functioning while demonstrating the potential for use in settings beyond healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Sigel
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Amanda Ladika
- IBS Center for the Study & Prevention of Violence, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Sabrina Arredondo Mattson
- IBS Center for the Study & Prevention of Violence, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Ablard S, Miller E, Poulton S, Cantrell A, Booth A, Lee A, Mason S, Bell F. Delivery of public health interventions by the ambulance sector: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2082. [PMID: 37875881 PMCID: PMC10598948 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16473-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With millions of unscheduled patient contacts every year and increasing call outs clustered around the most deprived communities, it is clear the ambulance sector could have a role to play in improving population health. However, the application and value of a public health approach within the ambulance sector has not been comprehensively explored. A scoping review was undertaken to explore the role of the ambulance sector in the delivery of public health interventions and what impact this has on population health and ambulance sector outcomes. METHODS A search strategy was developed on MEDLINE and translated to other major medical and health related bibliographic databases (Embase; CINAHL; HMIC; Science and Social Sciences Citation Index; Cochrane Library) to identify literature published since 2000 in OECD countries. Targeted grey literature, reference list, and citation searching was also carried out. Search results were downloaded to Microsoft Excel and screened by three reviewers according to pre-determined inclusion / exclusion criteria. Data from included studies, such as the type of activity noted within the paper, the population involved and the public health approach that was utilised, was extracted from within the paper using a data extraction form and narratively synthesised. RESULTS Fifty-two references were included in the final review (37 database searching; 9 reference list searching; 6 grey literature). Included articles were categorised according to the relevant public health domains and subdomains as articulated by the UK Faculty of Public Health: 1. Health improvement domain: Public health education and advice (Health promotion sub-domain) (n=13) Emergency Services personnel providing vaccines (Disease prevention sub-domain) (n=1) 2. Health care public health domain Paramedicine (Service delivery sub-domain) (n=30) Screening tools and referral pathways used by the ambulance sector (Service delivery sub-domain) (n=28) Health intelligence using ambulance sector data (population health management sub-domain) (n=26) Of note, some domains (e.g. health protection) returned nil results. DISCUSSION The scoping review demonstrates the breadth of public health related activities in which the ambulance sector is involved. However, an overemphasis on demand management outcomes precludes definitive conclusions on the impact of ambulance sector-led public health initiatives on public health outcomes. Future evaluations of public health initiatives should incorporate wider health system perspectives beyond the immediately apparent remit of the ambulance sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Ablard
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, S1 4DA, Sheffield, England.
| | - Elisha Miller
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust Headquarters, Springhill 2 Brindley Way, WF2 0XQ, Wakefield, England
| | - Steven Poulton
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust Headquarters, Springhill 2 Brindley Way, WF2 0XQ, Wakefield, England
| | - Anna Cantrell
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, S1 4DA, Sheffield, England
| | - Andrew Booth
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, S1 4DA, Sheffield, England
| | - Andrew Lee
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, S1 4DA, Sheffield, England
| | - Suzanne Mason
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, S1 4DA, Sheffield, England
| | - Fiona Bell
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust Headquarters, Springhill 2 Brindley Way, WF2 0XQ, Wakefield, England
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Andrade FRD, Menezes FDS, Oliveira MMD, Conceição GMDS, Peres MFT, Latorre MDRDDO. Effects of age, period, and birth cohort on homicide mortality in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, from 1996 to 2015. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2022; 38:e00254220. [DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00254220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract: Although São Paulo is the most populous city in Brazil - one of the world’s most violent countries - a significant reduction in its homicide mortality rate (HMR) has been detected. This study aims to estimate the effects of age, period, and birth cohort on the trend of homicide mortality according to sex in the city of São Paulo, from 1996 to 2015. An ecological study was undertaken with data on deaths by homicide for both sexes, in all age brackets, in the city of São Paulo. Poisson models were adjusted for each sex to estimate the age-period-cohort effects. In total, 61,833 deaths by homicide were recorded among males and 5,109 among females. Regardless of the period, the highest HMR occurred in the 20-24 age bracket. Higher HMRs were found in those born in the 1970s and 1980s. The complete model, with age-period-cohort effects, were the best fit to the data. The risk of death by homicide declined over the periods, with lower intensity in the final five years (2011-2015), for both males (RR = 0.48; 95%CI: 0.46; 0.49) and females (RR = 0.52; 95%CI: 0.47; 0.57). A reduction was found in the risk of homicide, regardless of the sex or age bracket, and also in recent cohorts. However, the intensity of such reductions has been decreasing over time, which suggests that the public policies adopted have limited potential to maintain these achievements.
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Chapman DA, Sullivan TN, Edmonds T, Adera T, Marshall KJ. The Lasting Contribution of Dr. Saba Masho on Youth Violence Prevention. Am J Public Health 2021; 111:S6-S7. [PMID: 34038156 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2021.306345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Derek A Chapman
- Derek A. Chapman, Torey Edmonds, and Tilahun Adera are with the Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. Terri N. Sullivan is with the Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University. Khiya J. Marshall is with the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Terri N Sullivan
- Derek A. Chapman, Torey Edmonds, and Tilahun Adera are with the Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. Terri N. Sullivan is with the Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University. Khiya J. Marshall is with the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Torey Edmonds
- Derek A. Chapman, Torey Edmonds, and Tilahun Adera are with the Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. Terri N. Sullivan is with the Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University. Khiya J. Marshall is with the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Tilahun Adera
- Derek A. Chapman, Torey Edmonds, and Tilahun Adera are with the Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. Terri N. Sullivan is with the Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University. Khiya J. Marshall is with the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Khiya J Marshall
- Derek A. Chapman, Torey Edmonds, and Tilahun Adera are with the Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. Terri N. Sullivan is with the Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University. Khiya J. Marshall is with the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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- Derek A. Chapman, Torey Edmonds, and Tilahun Adera are with the Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. Terri N. Sullivan is with the Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University. Khiya J. Marshall is with the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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Masho SW, Zirkle KW, Wheeler DC, Sullivan T, Farrell AD. Spatial Analysis of the Impact of a School-Level Youth Violence Prevention Program on Violent Crime Incidents in the Community. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2020; 20:521-531. [PMID: 30719615 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-019-0990-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of a school-based violence prevention program on community rates of violence for youth aged 10 to 18 in three urban communities with high rates of crime and poverty. We evaluated the impact of the Olweus Bully Prevention Program (OBPP) combined with a family intervention using a multiple baseline design in which we randomized the order and timing of intervention activities across three schools. Outcomes were police reports of violent crime incidents involving offenders aged 10 to 18 years (N = 2859 incidents) across a 6-year period. We used Bayesian hierarchical regression modeling to estimate the reduction of youth violence in the census blocks of the intervention middle school zones. Models controlled for percent female head-of-household, median household income, and percent renter-occupied housing units. Block groups within the attendance zones of schools receiving the intervention had a reduced risk of violence compared with those that did not (relative risk = 0.83, 95% credible interval = 0.71, 0.99). Our findings suggest that the school-level intervention was associated with a significant reduction in community-level youth violence. Public health professionals, program planners, and policy-makers should be aware of the potential community-wide benefit of school-level interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba W Masho
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Clark Hill Institute for Positive Youth Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Keith W Zirkle
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU, P.O. Box 980032, Richmond, VA, 23298-0212, USA
| | - David C Wheeler
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU, P.O. Box 980032, Richmond, VA, 23298-0212, USA.
| | - Terri Sullivan
- Clark Hill Institute for Positive Youth Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Albert D Farrell
- Clark Hill Institute for Positive Youth Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Psychology, College of Humanities, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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Emer LR, Kalkbrenner AE, O'Brien M, Yan A, Cisler RA, Weinhardt L. Association of childhood blood lead levels with firearm violence perpetration and victimization in Milwaukee. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 180:108822. [PMID: 31654907 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Childhood lead exposure impairs future decision-making and may influence criminal behavior, but its role in future firearm violence is unclear. Using public health, education, and criminal justice datasets linked at the individual level, we studied a population-based cohort of all persons born between June 1, 1986 and December 31, 2003 with a valid blood lead test before age 6 years and stable Milwaukee residency (n = 89,129). We estimated associations with firearm violence perpetration (n = 553) and victimization (n = 983) using logistic regression, adjusting for temporal trends, child sex, race, and neighborhood socioeconomic status. Increasing risks for firearm violence perpetration and victimization were found in each higher category of blood lead compared to the lowest, after adjusting for confounding. For perpetration, risk ratios (RR) for increasing comparisons of mean blood lead in categories of ≥5 < 10, ≥10 < 20, and ≥20 μg/dL compared to persons with mean blood lead < 5 μg/dL, were: RR 2.3 (95% CI 1.6, 3.3), RR 2.5 (95% CI 1.7, 3.9), and RR 2.8 (95% CI 1.8, 4.4). For victimization, the same increasing categoric comparisons were: RR 1.8 (95% CI 1.4, 2.3), RR 2.4 (95% CI 1.8, 3.2), RR 3.3 (95% CI 2.4, 4.5). The proportion of firearm violence attributable to blood lead ≥5 μg/dL was 56% for perpetration and 51% for victimization. In Milwaukee, during a period of high lead exposures, childhood levels may have substantially contributed to adult firearm violence. While we cannot definitively conclude causality, the possibility that over half of firearm violence among this sample might be due to lead exposure suggests the potential importance of lead exposure reduction in firearm violence prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay R Emer
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, 1240 North 10th Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53205, USA; Medical College of Wisconsin, Institute for Health and Equity, 8701 Watertown Plank, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA; National Center for State Courts, 300 Newport Avenue, Williamsburg, VA, 23185, USA.
| | - Amy E Kalkbrenner
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, 1240 North 10th Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53205, USA
| | - Mallory O'Brien
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Institute for Health and Equity, 8701 Watertown Plank, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Alice Yan
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, 1240 North 10th Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53205, USA
| | - Ron A Cisler
- Western Michigan University, College of Health and Human Services, 1200 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA
| | - Lance Weinhardt
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, 1240 North 10th Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53205, USA
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Williams J, Petersen N, Stoler J. Characterizing the spatial mismatch between intimate partner violence related healthcare services and arrests in Miami-Dade County, Florida. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:1085. [PMID: 30170574 PMCID: PMC6119341 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5985-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Routine screening and intervention for intimate partner violence (IPV) in healthcare settings constitutes an important secondary prevention strategy for identifying individuals experiencing IPV early and connecting them with appropriate services. Considerable variation in available IPV-related healthcare services exists and interventions are needed to improve the quality of these services. One way to prioritize intervention efforts is by examining the level of services provided in communities most at risk relative to local incidence or prevalence of IPV. To inform future interventions, this study examined the spatial relationship between IPV-related healthcare services and IPV arrests in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and identified predictors of the observed spatial mismatch. METHODS Survey data collected in 2014 from 278 health facilities pertaining to IPV services were geocoded, computed into a density layer, and aggregated at the census tract level to create a population-based normalized comprehensiveness score (NCS) as a proxy for IPV-related healthcare resources. IPV arrests from 2011 to 2015, collected from the county court, were geocoded and summarized by census tracts to serve as a proxy for IPV prevalence. These measures were combined into a resource disparity score (RDS) that compared relative service density to relative arrest rates, where positive RDS represented over-resourced neighborhoods and negative RDS corresponded to under-resourced neighborhoods. We used correlation analyses and a two-phase spatial modeling approach to evaluate correlates of NCS and RDS. RESULTS A spatial lag model did not yield an association between NCS and IPV arrests, demonstrating a spatial mismatch, which we visualized using a Geographic Information System (GIS). A spatial error model revealed that the percentage of white non-Hispanic residents was positively associated with RDS, while percent black non-Hispanic, median age, ethnic heterogeneity, and economic disadvantage were negatively associated with RDS. CONCLUSIONS These findings underscore the need to further evaluate the adequacy of IPV-related healthcare resources for secondary prevention relative to local IPV arrest rates, particularly within economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Our approach demonstrates the utility of GIS for identifying potential priority regions for IPV prevention efforts and resource allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Williams
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 5004 Carrington Hall, Campus Box 7460, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7460 USA
| | - Nick Petersen
- Department of Sociology, University of Miami, 5202 University Drive, Merrick Building, Room 122G, Coral Gables, Florida USA
| | - Justin Stoler
- Department of Geography, University of Miami, 1300 Campo Sano Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL 33136 USA
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de Macedo Bernardino Í, Santos L, Ferreira A, de Almeida Lima T, da Nóbrega L, d’Avila S. Multiple correspondence analysis as a strategy to explore the association between categories of qualitative variables related to oral–maxillofacial trauma and violent crimes at the community level. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2018; 47:339-344. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Matjasko JL, Massetti GM, Bacon S. Implementing and Evaluating Comprehensive Evidence-Based Approaches to Prevent Youth Violence: Partnering to Create Communities Where Youth Are Safe From Violence. J Prim Prev 2017; 37:109-19. [PMID: 27017211 PMCID: PMC4824799 DOI: 10.1007/s10935-016-0422-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Violence, including its occurrence among youth, results in considerable physical, emotional, social, and economic consequences in the U.S. Youth violence prevention work at the Division of Violence Prevention (DVP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes preventing youth violence-related behaviors, injuries, and deaths by collaborating with academic and community partners and stakeholders. Since 2000, DVP has funded three rounds of CDC's National Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention (YVPCs) in 5-year cycles, with the goal of supporting university-community partnerships so that the best science can be utilized in order to prevent youth violence. The current YVPCs focus on: (a) partnering with communities to identify community needs; (b) selecting and implementing the best comprehensive evidence-based programs to meet those needs; and (c) rigorously evaluating whether those efforts have a community-level impact on youth violence rates. The introduction to this special issue on the current YVPCs provides a brief historical overview on the YVPC Program; outlines the YVPCs' accomplishments to date; and describes the current YVPCs, their community partners, and their activities. The introduction concludes with an overview of the special issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Matjasko
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, 1313 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
| | - Greta M Massetti
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah Bacon
- National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Kingston B, Bacallao M, Smokowski P, Sullivan T, Sutherland K. Constructing "Packages" of Evidence-Based Programs to Prevent Youth Violence: Processes and Illustrative Examples From the CDC's Youth Violence Prevention Centers. J Prim Prev 2016; 37:141-63. [PMID: 27032630 PMCID: PMC4824829 DOI: 10.1007/s10935-016-0423-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the strategic efforts of six National Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention (YVPC), funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to work in partnership with local communities to create comprehensive evidence-based program packages to prevent youth violence. Key components of a comprehensive evidence-based approach are defined and examples are provided from a variety of community settings (rural and urban) across the nation that illustrate attempts to respond to the unique needs of the communities while maintaining a focus on evidence-based programming and practices. At each YVPC site, the process of selecting prevention and intervention programs addressed the following factors: (1) community capacity, (2) researcher and community roles in selecting programs, (3) use of data in decision-making related to program selection, and (4) reach, resources, and dosage. We describe systemic barriers to these efforts, lessons learned, and opportunities for policy and practice. Although adopting an evidence-based comprehensive approach requires significant upfront resources and investment, it offers great potential for preventing youth violence and promoting the successful development of children, families and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverly Kingston
- Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder, 1440 15th Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, USA.
| | | | - Paul Smokowski
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Designs for Evaluating the Community-Level Impact of Comprehensive Prevention Programs: Examples from the CDC Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention. J Prim Prev 2016; 37:165-88. [PMID: 26957507 PMCID: PMC4824814 DOI: 10.1007/s10935-016-0425-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This article discusses the opportunities and challenges of developing research designs to evaluate the impact of community-level prevention efforts. To illustrate examples of evaluation designs, we describe six projects funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to evaluate multifaceted approaches to reduce youth violence in high-risk communities. Each of these projects was designed to evaluate the community-level impact of multiple intervention strategies to address individual and contextual factors that place youth at risk for violent behavior. Communities differed across projects in their setting, size, and how their boundaries were defined. Each project is using multiple approaches to compare outcomes in one or more intervention communities to those in comparison communities. Five of the projects are using comparative interrupted time-series designs to compare outcomes in an intervention community to matched comparison communities. A sixth project is using a multiple baseline design in which the order and timing of intervention activities is randomized across three communities. All six projects are also using regression point displacement designs to compare outcomes within intervention communities to those within broader sets of similar communities. Projects are using a variety of approaches to assess outcomes including archival records, surveys, and direct observations. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the designs of these projects and illustrate the challenges of designing high-quality evaluations of comprehensive prevention approaches implemented at the community level.
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