Exploring local perceptions of and responses to urban youth violence.
OBJECTIVE
Despite widespread prevention efforts, youth violence persists in many urban communities. This investigation explores the unique perspectives and local capacities to address urban youth violence.


METHODS
Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with prominent neighborhood individuals (PNIs) from low-wealth neighborhoods that varied by risk for youth violence.


RESULTS
Findings reveal examples of increased levels of social action in the designated low risk for youth violence neighborhoods. Similar activities were also present, but to a lesser extent, within the high-risk neighborhoods. Results illustrate how PNIs formally and informally share information and take action to address youth violence.


CONCLUSIONS
PNIs are an often-overlooked resource in gaining local insight for addressing health issues, such as youth violence. The efforts identified exhibit expertise and culturally sensitive opportunities for working together to address youth violence. Understanding such dynamics is essential for informing the development of locally endorsed violence-prevention interventions.
Yonas
Michael A
MA
Department of Family Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
O'Campo
Patricia
P
Burke
Jessica G
JG
Gielen
Andrea C
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017062:Small-Area Analysis; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*