In this issue, we present studies that bring to light the impact of alcohol advertising among middle school–age youth, the processes and illustrative examples of evidence-based programs from CDC’s Youth Violence Prevention Centers, the social and economic aspects of inequality in youth well-being, the roles that peers play in adolescent dating—and more.*
Studies indicate that exposure to alcohol advertising may hasten initiation of drinking and increase consumption among underage. Other research extends these associations to youth problem drinking and bolsters causal interpretation with evidence of brand-specific associations, and processes mediating and moderating associations. This evidence raises substantial concern about the contribution of advertising to underage drinking. However, the extent of this concern should be proportionate to the level of youth exposure to alcohol advertising. We know surprisingly little about this. The alcohol industry has self-regulatory procedures in place to ensure that youth are not more likely than adults to be exposed to any individual advertisement. However, this standard does not address, and tells us nothing about, the percentage of youth exposed to alcohol advertising overall or the frequency of youth exposure.
This paper describes the strategic efforts of six National Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention (YVPC), funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to work in partnership with local communities to create comprehensive evidence-based program packages to prevent youth violence. Key components of a comprehensive evidence-based approach are defined and examples are provided from a variety of community settings (rural and urban) across the nation that illustrate attempts to respond to the unique needs of the communities while maintaining a focus on evidence-based programming and practices. Although adopting an evidence-based comprehensive approach requires significant upfront resources and investment, it offers great potential for preventing youth violence and promoting the successful development of children, families, and communities.
Money, Peers, and Parents: Social and Economic Aspects of Inequality in Youth Well-Being
Indicators of social and economic status are important health determinants. However, evidence for the influence of family socioeconomic status in adolescent well-being is inconsistent and during this period of development youth may begin to develop their own status positions. This study examined social and economic health inequalities by applying a multidimensional and youth-orientated approach. The findings suggest that youth’s own economy and peer status are as important as family socioeconomic status for understanding inequalities in well-being. Thus, a focus on youth-orientated conceptualizations of social and economic disadvantage during adolescence is warranted.
Currently in the United States, 50 states, 5 territories, and the District of Columbia have established prekindergarten (pre-K) age 4 learning standards that are intended to outline skills and knowledge that set children on a path to success in kindergarten and upcoming grades. These standards are emphasized as a centralizing force in early childhood education, providing a bridge strengthening ties between preschool and elementary grades. This report presents a national study of pre-K age 4 learning standards based on an online survey completed by early childhood state and territory directors and administrators, geographically diverse focus groups representing a subsample of survey respondents, and one-on-one interviews composed of a sample of both focus group and survey participants.
Prior research suggests that peers are important to adolescent dating experiences. However, questions remain about the role peers play in adolescent relationships, including dating violence. To fill this gap, eight sex-specific focus groups were conducted with 39 high school–age teens, all of whom had experienced prior relationship problems. Participants described how peers helped them initiate dating relationships, but once in the relationship, peers would spread rumors and create dramas that led to jealousy, discord, and violence between the couple. Prevention programs should focus on cultivating peers as helpful bystanders and counteracting peer actions that lead to dating violence.
Adolescent Perspectives on Addressing Youth Violence in the Primary Care Setting
A paucity of research exists examining adolescent perspectives of youth violence as a health issue. A better understanding of patient perspectives could improve screening and inform intervention design. In this study, we aimed to describe adolescent perspectives on youth violence as a health issue, and to understand adolescents’ perceived barriers and facilitators to discussing violence in the primary care setting.
* The above text is not our own; it is pulled from the linked research articles to preserve original meaning.
