Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114084

Darrell L. Hudson, MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-218-4403, hudsondl@umich.edu, Naima T. Wong, BA, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory Street, Center for Research on Culture, Ethnicity and Health, SPH I, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, and Lee Bell, Neighborhood Roundtable and Youth Violence Prevention Project, 877 E. Fifth Avenue, Flint, MI, MI 48503.

With the understanding that homicide is the leading cause of death for African Americans aged 10-24 years old, innovative methods are needed to prevent and eliminate youth violence among those most impacted. Through the Ruth Mott Community Health Careers Program, a team of high school youth was placed with the Flint Youth Violence Prevention Center in the summer of 2004. Building upon existing Photovoice methodology, VideoVoice offers a dynamic approach to exploring the etiology of youth violence and potential solutions to prevent youth violence in the Flint community in Michigan. VideoVoice placed video cameras in the hands of four Flint-area high school students in order capture images in the Flint community to illuminate the issues and to identify strategies to reduce youth violence. This approach provided a vehicle for youth to voice their concerns and insights in the investigation of youth violence in a culturally relevant manner. Youth wrote guiding narratives for images that were captured on video and compiled an accompanying soundtrack of hip-hop music. The final VideoVoice project, entitled “Why: The Good, The Bad and The Worst,” presents an honest look at issues relevant to youth violence from a youth perspective. Specifically, youth have identified deficiencies in their community that lead to violence as well as community assets and personal protective factors that prevent violence. Data obtained from this project will be useful in the development of research, interventions and policies geared towards youth violence.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will have a better understanding of

• issues that youth believe are relevant to preventing youth violence.
• how VideoVoice can be used as a culturally tailored research methodology to explore issues of youth violence.

Keywords: Participatory Research, Youth Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation