Prevention

In medicine, prevention is any activity which reduces the burden of mortality or morbidity from disease. This takes place at primary, secondary and tertiary prevention levels.

Primary prevention avoids the development of a disease. Most population-based health promotion activities are primary preventative measures. Secondary prevention activities are aimed at early disease detection, thereby increasing opportunities for interventions to prevent progression of the disease and emergence of symptoms. Tertiary prevention reduces the negative impact of an already established disease by restoring function and reducing disease-related complications.

Key texts – Books

 * Albee, G., & Gullotta, T. P. (Eds.) (1997). Primary prevention works. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
 * Barton, H. A., Hopkins, K. N., Mcelhaney, S. J., Heigel, J., & Salassi, A. (1995). Getting started: The NMHA directory of model programs to prevent mental disorders and promote mental health. Alexandria, VA: National Mental Health Association.
 * Cowen, E. L. (1996). The ontogenesis of primary prevention: Lengthy strides and stubbed toes. American Journal of Community Psychology, 24, 235-249.
 * Durlak, J. A. (1995). School-based prevention programs for children and adolescents. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
 * Ewles L(2005)Key Topics in Public Health: Essential Briefings on Prevention and Health Promotion. Churchill Livingstone.ISBN 0443100268
 * McCord, J., & Tremblay, R. (Eds.) (1992). Preventing antisocial behavior: Interventions from birth through adolescence. New York: Guilford Press.
 * Weissberg, R. P., Gullotta, T. P., Hampton, R. L., Ryan, B. A., & Adams, G.. R. (Eds.) (1997). Enhancing children's wellness. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
 * Weissberg, R. P., Gullotta, T. P., Hampton, R. L., Ryan, B. A., & Adams, G. R. (Eds.) (1997). Establishing preventive services. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Additional material – Books

 * Price, R., Cowen, E., Lorion, R., & Ramos-McKay, J. (Eds.). (1988). Fourteen ounces of prevention: A casebook. Washington, DC: APA.

Key texts – Papers

 * Sandler, I. (Ed.) (1997). Meta-analysis of primary prevention programs. American Journal of Community Psychology, Special Issue, 25, (2).
 * Weissberg, R., Caplan, M., & Harwood, R. (1991). Promoting competent young people in competence-enhancing environments: A systems-based perspective on primary prevention. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59, 830-841.
 * Zigler, E. (1994). Reshaping early childhood intervention to be a more effective weapon against poverty. American Journal of Community Psychology, 22, 37-47.

Additional material - Papers

 * Google Scholar