The effectiveness of universal school-based programs for the prevention of violent and aggressive behavior: a report on recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services.
Universal school-based programs to reduce or prevent violent behavior are delivered to all children in classrooms in a grade or in a school. Similarly, programs targeted to schools in high-risk areas (defined by low socioeconomic status or high crime rates) are delivered to all children in a grade or school in those high-risk areas. During 2004-2006, the Task Force on Community Preventive Services (Task Force) conducted a systematic review of published scientific evidence concerning the effectiveness of these programs. The results of this review provide strong evidence that universal school-based programs decrease rates of violence and aggressive behavior among school-aged children. Program effects were demonstrated at all grade levels. An independent meta-analysis of school-based programs confirmed and supplemented these findings. On the basis of strong evidence of effectiveness, the Task Force recommends the use of universal school-based programs to prevent or reduce violent behavior.
Division of Health Communication and Marketing, National Center for Health Marketing, CDC, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. rah1@cdc.gov
Robert
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Hahn
Dawna
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Fuqua-Whitley
Holly
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Wethington
Jessica
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Lowy
Akiva
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Liberman
Alex
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Crosby
Mindy
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Fullilove
Robert
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Johnson
Eve
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Moscicki
LeShawndra
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Price
Susan R
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Snyder
Farris
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Tuma
Stella
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Cory
Glenda
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Stone
Kaushik
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Mukhopadhaya
Sajal
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Chattopadhyay
Linda
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Dahlberg
D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services; D012574:Schools; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*