Firearm-related homicides have increased by 61 percent over the past 10 years among young people between 15 and 19 years of age. Some children are more at risk for violence than others, and factors that increase children's risk include gender, poverty, residence in urban areas, and having witnessed or been the victim of violence during early childhood. In particular, the social condition of poverty is a factor in high-risk behaviors of adolescents. Violence prevention programs that are developmentally appropriate for adolescents and have a realistic cultural context can be expected to be effective. Such programs use peers in education and counseling and reflect an understanding of stages in adolescent development. Violence characteristics and violence prevention approaches are described that involve education and school-based activities. The public health model of violence prevention is discussed. 10 notes