In the lead article, current and former officials of the Centers for Disease Control set out the parameters of a public health approach to preventing violence. Secretary of Human and Human Services Donna Shalala and a criminal justice expert offer their responses to that article. In other articles, authors examine the biological, behavioral, and emotional factors affecting violence and delinquency in children; drugs, alcohol, and violence; societal inequity and violence; a public health perspective on firearms; a classification of firearm policies; and a firearm policy research agenda. A physician urges colleagues to improve clinical recognition of domestic violence. In commentaries, authors discuss the Clinton Administration's priority of violence prevention; the effectiveness of school-based conflict resolution programs; the impact of violence on the U.S. trauma system; the societal costs of violence; the range of public opinion on gun policy; and the involvement of private philanthropy in violence prevention efforts.