Youth crime and violence has been identified as an increasing problem. In this context it is encouraging that Government and CSO actors are committed to a new focus of crime prevention. A multi-sector approach will be required to address the risk factors underpinning youth crime. It is notable that participants in this study agreed on the major risk factors: unemployment, substance abuse, breakdown of families, poor education and urbanization. Exacerbating risk factors included globalization, and new modern/urban influences.

Resilience factors were primarily the reverse of the risk factors: good role models to give advice, strong family and cultural ties, opportunities for training and employment. A theme linking all of the factors, both positive and negative, is youth participation. Whether or not youth have opportunities to communicate to adults and participate in activities – whether to earn money, to give voice to their views and concerns, or to merely gain support and encouragement – contributes to their probability of achieving successful outcomes.

The 2006 Situational Analysis on Children, Women and Youth noted that the leading cause of disease or ill health among the youth are injuries and poisoning associated with risk behavior like cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and suicide. Mental health risks are a similar concern, particularly where suicide, as reported also in the 2010 Government of Samoa MDG’s progress report remains a significant problem, and demands specific interventions. Other significant causes of death for youth include diseases of the circulatory system, infectious diseases and cancer.