title: Systematic Review: Exposure to Community Violence and Physical Health Outcomes in Youth.
abstract: To systematically review the evidence for associations between exposure to community violence and physical health outcomes in children and adolescents.
  
  
  
  A thorough search of multiple online databases and careful consideration of inclusion and exclusion criteria yielded a final 28 studies for detailed review. In addition to review of findings, studies were rated on overall quality based on study design.
  
  
  
  Seven categories of physical health outcomes emerged, including asthma/respiratory health, cardiovascular health, immune functioning, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning, sleep problems, weight, and a general health category. There were mixed findings across these categories. Evidence for a positive association between community violence exposure and health problems was strongest in the cardiovascular health and sleep categories.
  
  
  
  There is reason to believe that community violence exposure has an effect on some areas of physical health. Additional well-designed research that focuses on mechanisms as well as outcomes is warranted.
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia.
authors: Anna W
authors: AW
authors: Wright
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia.
authors: Makeda
authors: M
authors: Austin
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia.
authors: Carolyn
authors: C
authors: Booth
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia.
authors: Wendy
authors: W
authors: Kliewer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067697:Adolescent Health; D002648:Child; D000067576:Child Health; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D014754:Violence
keywords: adolescents; asthma; children; community violence; physical health; sleep; systematic review