Investing in family-centered early childhood education: A conceptual model for preventing firearm homicide among Black male youth in the United States

• Published in: Preventive medicine 2024-04, Vol.181, p.107917-107917, Article 107917
• Main Authors: Lind, Allison, Mason, Susan M., Brady, Sonya S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic Success; Adolescent; Anti-racist policy; Black People; Child; Child, Preschool; Early childhood education; Educational Status; Family supportive policies; Firearm deaths; Firearms; Homicide; Homicide - prevention & control; Humans; Male; Suicide; Systemic racism; United States; Youth mortality
• ISSN: 0091-7435; 1096-0260
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.107917

Firearms are now the number one killer of children and adolescents in the United States. Firearm homicides among Black male youth are the driver of this increase. Prevention requires a multi-faceted life course approach. Academic achievement has been identified as a protective factor. Early childhood education, which is linked to later achievement, is thus an intervention area of interest. Conceptualizing the potential links between early childhood education and reduced risk for youth firearm homicide is important for guiding policy advocacy and informing future research. This paper presents a conceptual model linking early childhood education to reduced risk for firearm homicide. Each link in the model is discussed, and a corresponding review of the literature is presented. The need for anti-racist policies to strengthen the impact of early childhood education is highlighted. Early education and firearm homicide research are each well-established but largely disconnected. There are clear immediate benefits of early childhood education; however, these effects wane with time, particularly for youth of color. At the same time, juvenile delinquency—a major risk factor for firearm homicide—is influenced by educational inequities. Effective interventions to reduce firearm homicides among Black male youth in the United States are needed. Early childhood education shows promise as an intervention. However, to have an impact, this education needs to be accessible and affordable for all, particularly families of color and low income. Societal structures and policies must also better support the positive gains seen through early childhood education to avoid dissipation. •Firearms are the number one killer of children and adolescents in the United States.•Racial inequities are present with Black male youth disproportionately affected.•Effective interventions are crucial, with early childhood education programs showing promise.•Access to high-quality early childhood education is imperative for impact.•Family supportive policies may enhance outcomes, especially for families of color.