Preventing Youth Violence Through Building Equitable Communities

Interpersonal or community violence is a long-standing health disparity that disproportionately affects African American youth, and suicide is disproportionately increasing among African American youth. This project evaluates the impact of a multisystemic prevention program designed to reduce health disparities in violence by promoting equity in African American youths' experiences in education and law enforcement systems. This intervention has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality among African American youth, promote overall quality of life, and reduce the societal costs associated with both interpersonal violence and suicidality.

Inclusion Criteria:Youth will be eligible for the study if they attend a participating school, are capable of providing assent, and are able to understand spoken or written English.School personnel will be eligible if they are currently employed at a participating school.Police personnel will be eligible if they are currently employed at a participating precinct.Exclusion Criteria:Unable to give assent or consent.