A Comprehensive Community Approach to Preventing Youth Gun Violence: A Longitudinal Study of the ThrYve Initiative

Youth violence, particularly gun-related, is a pressing public health concern influenced by key risk factors and broader structural inequities that shape community conditions. The ThrYve (“Together Helping Reduce Youth Violence”) initiative, a multisector, multilevel community strategy in Kansas City, targeted social and structural determinants of youth violence. Guided by the Institute of Medicine’s Model for Collaborative Action in Communities, the ThrYve approach supported five evidence-informed components including: (1) coalition development with over 40 partners; (2) youth violence prevention programs in hospitals, schools, and the community; (3) out-of-school time supports for youths; (4) education, college, and career readiness initiatives; and (5) youth/family navigation supports. A mixed-method, quasi-experimental design examined pre/post changes in youth risk and behavior, longitudinal youth homicide trends, and documented coalition-facilitated community and systems changes. Between 2018 and 2024, the ThrYve coalition implemented 243 new or modified programs, policies, and practices promoting safer, supportive community environments. During the intervention phase, youth homicide rates in the intervention catchment area declined by 42.3% from baseline, and significant within-group improvements were observed in selected risk factors among ThrYve participants. Findings suggest the value of coalition-based, systems-level, community- and youth-engaged strategies for youth violence prevention.