But violence threatens that future because of its tremendous impact on the health and well-being of our youth. In the early 1980s, CDC recognized youth violence as a serious public health problem in the U.S. Scientific studies were begun to characterize the problem of violence and to determine how to prevent it. Youth as Victims of Violence Violence is a major cause of death.
Violence is more prevalent in certain populations.
More than one-third of homicide victims are young people. Most young victims were killed with guns. America is number one in youth homicides. Homicide rates for young people in the United States are the highest in the world. Youth violence is responsible for many nonfatal injuries and dis abilities.