THE ROLE OF SCHOOL-HEALTH INSTRUCTION IN PREVENTING INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE

The social and human costs of youth violence are staggering. Reducing violence among youth will require a multifaced approach, including edu cational strategies aimed at reducing the prevalence of high risk beha viors associated with youth violence. This article examines the role o f school health instruction in preventing interpersonal violence. Spec ifically, this article provides an overview of comprehensive school he alth education; suggests instructional content for violence prevention education; explores options for administering violence prevention edu cation; discusses theoretical frameworks supporting education strategi es; provides criteria for selecting violence prevention curricula and materials; examines possible limitations and barriers to violence prev ention education; and provides recommendations for implementing progra ms. Though classroom health instruction should not be expected to solv e problems associated with youth violence, prevention education needs to be delivered within the context of comprehensive school health educ ation.