LESSON 3.14

Children’s Health in the U.S. – Part 1

Violence

  • Occurs in multiple forms and is a major public health issue.
    • Violence includes physical fighting, dating violence, and homicide.
  • Homicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among all persons aged 10-24 years.
  • A decline in high school students being in a physical fight on school property was noted in 2013 with 8.1% compared to 12% in 2011 of students reporting violence at school.
  • Male students are twice as likely to report being in a fight compared to girl students (10.7% vs. 5.6%, respectively).
  • Higher rates are reported in non-Hispanic Black students (12.8%) compared to Hispanic (9.4%) and non-Hispanic White students (6.4%).

Source: HRSA Maternal & Child Health Bureau, 2015

Violence experienced by US youth is a major public health concern, especially for males and racial/ethnic minority youth. Non-Hispanic black high school students are twice as likely to experience violence at school than non-Hispanic white students.