Prevention science

Prevention Science[1] is the application of a scientific methodology that seeks to prevent or moderate major human dysfunctions before they occur. Regardless of the type of issue on hand, the factors that lead to the problem must be identified and addressed. Prevention research is thus focused primarily on the systematic study of these potential precursors of dysfunction, also known as risk factors; as well as components or circumstances that reduces the probability of problem development in the presence of risk, also known as protective factors. Preventive interventions aim to counteract risk factors and reinforce protective factors in order to disrupt processes or situations that give rise to human or social dysfunction.

Components of Prevention Science[2]

Epidemiology

The prevalence, distribution, and determinants of the problem in time and space. Epidemiological investigations can be carried out through surveillance and descriptive studies to determine its extent.

Etiology

The causes of such positive or negative outcomes, with an emphasis on risk and protective factors. Also known as the Theory of Causation.

Efficacy Trials

Scientific experiments that test the preventive intervention programs ability to prevent the problem under favorable conditions. Under these optimal conditions, the researcher has control over the intervention and how it is delivered. If the test finds significant desirable effects, the intervention program is considered to be efficacious.

Effectiveness Trials

Scientific experiments that test the preventive intervention programs ability to prevent the problem under real world conditions. The setting and the kinds of people in the experiment should be very similar to the actual targeted population in a particular location.

Dissemination Research

Analyzes how tested and effective prevention intervention programs may be spread to reduce problems at a larger scale.

Usefulness of Risk Factors

The term "risk factor" was first coined Dr. William B. Kannel in a 1961 article in Annals of Internal Medicine. Dr. Kannel was the epidemiologist who discovered most of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease while working on the Framingham Heart Study in Massachusetts.

There are 2 useful ways to utilize risk factors in prevention science:

  1. To identify subpopulations more likely to develop problems which should be reached by preventive intervention.
  2. To identify malleable individual or environmental characteristics that can be changed by preventive intervention.

Further Observations About Risk and Protective Factors

Levels of Prevention

In defining the level of prevention in the public health sector, R.S. Gordon, Jr. proposed 3 classifications based upon the costs and benefits of delivering the intervention to the target population group.[4]

Tier Definition
Universal Prevention Strategies that involves the full population (nation, local community, school, district, etc.) based on evidence that it is likely to provide some benefit to all. It aims to prevent or delay the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. All individuals, without screening, are provided with information and skills needed to prevent the problem. Also include environmental strategies such as policies that change the availability and/or price of such problematic substances.
Selective Prevention Strategies that involve targeted subpopulations whose risk of developing problems such as alcohol abuse or dependence is already at an elevated level above average. Targeted groups may be identified by exposure to specific risk factors such as poor family management, family history, or impulsive behaviors. An example of selective prevention is parenting programs for children with early conduct problems.
Indicated Prevention Strategies that involve a screening process, and aim to identify individuals who exhibit early signs of early conduct problems and/or having an increased risk for a disorder, but currently do not have a diagnosable disorder. Identifiers may include falling grades among students, known problem consumption or conduct disorders, alienation from parents, school, and positive peer groups etc.

Selective and indicated prevention strategies might involve more intensive interventions and thus involve greater cost to the participants, since their risk and thus potential benefit from participation would be greater.

Guidelines for Prevention

The following guidelines for prevention science was established by an undergraduate social welfare class titled "Advances in Prevention Science: Bridging the Gap from Science to Service" at the University of Washington in Seattle during the winter quarter of 2012. It was taught by Dr. J. David Hawkins, one of the developers for the Social Development Model.

Foundation Guidelines

Intervention Guidelines

Convincing Evidence Guidelines

Effects on Adolescent Health

Behavior problems are major causes of adolescent morbidity and mortality, and Prevention Science has led to the identification of tested and effective preventive interventions. Longitudinal studies have provided an understanding of risk and protective factors across the life course for many of these problem behaviors. An article by Richard Catalano, director of the University of Washington's Social Development Research Group, was recently published in the medical journal The Lancet, whereby Catalano and his colleagues provided examples of cost-effective social programs that have undergone rigorous research to show that implementing such programs can prevent a variety of behavioral problems and conditions contributing to poor health in today's youth. The paper was published on April 25, 2012 as part of a series on adolescent health.[5]
Samples of their recommended programs are:

Case Study: Nurse Family Partnership

The Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) is an evidence-based community health program that was developed by Dr. David Olds in Elmira, New York in 1977. NFP provides regular home visits by specially trained public health nurses to low-income, unmarried pregnant women with no previous live births. The nurses teach positive health related behaviors, competent care of children, and maternal personal development encompassing family, education, and economic self-sufficiency, instilling confidence and empowering them to achieve a better life for their children and themselves. All of these services are free and voluntary, and goes on until the first-born child reaches 2 years of age.

Evidence of Effectiveness

Three randomized controlled trials were conducted with 3 diverse populations in Elmira, New York (1977); in Memphis, Tennessee (1988); and in Denver, Colorado (1994). These research studies provide evidence on the positive and effective outcomes of NFP. Follow-up research still continues today, which studies the long-term outcomes for both mothers and children in these trials.

Study 1 - Elmira, NY

300 women in a semi-rural community, who had agreed to be part of the study were randomly assigned to either a group that will participate in the Nurse-Family Partnership, or a control group that was only provided developmental screening and referral to treatment for their child. Approximately 90% of the women were caucasian; 60% were from low-income families; 60% unmarried. Average age of the women in the study was 19.[6][7][8]

Effects on Child

[9][10] Versus the control group:

Effects on Mother

[11][12] Versus the control group:

Study Quality

There was a long-term follow-up of children whose mother was part of the initial NFP effectiveness study. There was low attrition as the data on the outcomes described above were obtained for 77%-83% of the initial sample group, and follow-up rates were similar for both treatment and control groups.

Study 2 - Memphis, TN

743 women who had agreed to participate in the study were randomly assigned to either a treatment group that would be given the opportunity to participate in the Nurse Family Partnership, or a control group that was only provided free transportation to scheduled prenatal medical appointments, and developmental screening, as well as referrals to treatment for their child under the age of 2 years old. 92% of the women were African-American; 85% came from households with income on or under the poverty line; 98% were unmarried; average age was 18.[13]

Effects on Child at Age 2

[14] Versus the control group:

Effects on Child at Age 12

[15][16] Versus the control group:

For nurse-visited children in the subsample whose mothers had low psychological resources prior to the program participation (mothers in the lower half of the sample in intelligence, mental health, and self-confidence), research found that the children made improvements in academic performance. The effects on academic performance were sustained over the follow-up period, including grades 4-6. Compared to the control group in the same subsample:

Effects on Mother When Child Reached Age 12

Versus the control group:

Study Quality

This was a large study with follow-up all the way till the first child reached age 12. There was low-moderate attrition; data obtained were for 74-85% of the original sample, and follow-up rates were similar for both the treatment and control groups.

Study 3 - Denver, CO

[17][18] 490 women who had agreed to participate in the program was randomly assigned to either a treatment group that would be given the opportunity to participate in the Nurse Family Partnership, or a control group that was only provided developmental screening and referrals to treatment for their child under the age of 2 years old. 46% were Mexican-American; 36% were caucasian; 15% African American; 84% were unmarried; average age was 20.

Effects on Child at Age 4

Versus the control group, the subsample of children whose mothers had low psychological resources prior to participating in the program made sizable gains in researcher assed language development; behavioral adaptation (attention, impulse control, sociability); executive functioning (capacity for sustained attention, fine gross motor skills);

Effects on Mother When Child Reached Age 4

Versus the control group:

Discussion of Study Quality

Advancement in Prevention Science

Society for Prevention Research

Society For Prevention Research is an organization dedicated to advancing scientific investigation on the etiology and prevention of social, physical and mental health, and academic problems and on the translation of that information to promote health and well being. The multi-disciplinary membership of SPR is international and includes scientists, practitioners, advocates, administrators, and policy makers who value the conduct and dissemination of prevention science worldwide. The official publication of the organization, called Prevention Science, serves as an interdisciplinary forum designed to disseminate new developments in the theory, research and practice of prevention. Prevention sciences encompassing etiology, epidemiology and intervention are represented through peer-reviewed original research articles on a variety of health and social problems, including but not limited to substance abuse, mental health, HIV/AIDS, violence, accidents, teenage pregnancy, suicide, delinquency, STD's, obesity, diet/nutrition, exercise, and chronic illness. The journal also publishes literature reviews, theoretical articles, and papers concerning new developments in methodology.

Washington State Institute for Public Policy

Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) located in Olympia, Washington, estimates the cost-effectiveness of diverse prevention programs with scientifically rigorous standards applied consistently across a wide variety of social issues relevant to state legislators. Cost-benefit analyses are important to show the economic benefit to the state and to tax-payers, as well as provide a standard to compare between different programs with similar goals and outcomes. Furthermore, cost-effective programs are more likely to be funded and approved by policy makers.

Blueprints for Violence Prevention

Blueprints for Violence Prevention is a project of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado that provides a list of effective violence, drug, and crime prevention programs. The Blueprints mission is to identify truly outstanding violence and drug prevention programs that meet a high scientific standard of effectiveness. In doing so, Blueprints serves as a resource for governments, foundations, businesses, and other organizations trying to make informed judgments about their investments in violence and drug prevention programs. Blueprints staff systematically and continuously review the research on violence and drug abuse programs to determine which are exemplary and grounded in evidence. To date, it has assessed more than 900 programs. Blueprints' standards for certifying model and promising violence prevention programs are widely recognized as the most rigorous in use. Program effectiveness is based upon an initial review by Blueprints staff and a final review and recommendation from a distinguished Advisory Board, composed of experts in the field of violence prevention.

Social Research Unit

The Social Research Unit is an independent charity based in Dartington, England, dedicated to improving the health and development of children in Europe and North America. They do so by utilizing research to first establish potential causes of impairment, and then to develop and disseminate appropriate information to the widest international audience regarding their findings about responding more effectively to risk.

Social Development Research Group

The Social Development Research Group (SDRG) is a nationally recognized interdisciplinary team of researchers based in Seattle, Washington that seek to promote youth development, as well as prevent and treat health and behavior problems among young people through identifying risk and protective factors and understanding the effects of promotive and preventive interventions that address these factors. Academic success and positive development as well as drug abuse, delinquency, risky sexual behavior, violence, mental health problems and school dropout are among the outcomes studied. In 1979, J. David Hawkins and Richard F. Catalano began to develop the Social Development Model which provides the theoretical basis for this approach to promotion and prevention which underlies much of the group's research.

References

  1. Coie, J. D., Watt, N. F., West, S. G., Hawkins, J. D., Asarnow, J. R., Markman, H. J., Ramey, S. L., ... Long, B. (January 01, 1993). The science of prevention. A conceptual framework and some directions for a national research program. The American Psychologist, 48, 10, 1013-22.
  2. Mrazek, P. B., Haggerty, R. J., Institute of Medicine (U.S.)., & United States. (1994). Reducing risks for mental disorders: Frontiers for preventive intervention research. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press.
  3. Markman, H. J., & Jones-Leonard, D. (1985). Marital discord and children at risk: Implications for research and prevention. In W. Frankenberg & R. Emde (Eds.), Early identification of children at risk (pp. 59-77). New York: Plenum Press.
  4. Gordon, R. S. J. (January 1, 1983). An operational classification of disease prevention. Public Health Reports, 98, 2.
  5. Catalano, R. F., Fagan, A. A., Gavin, L. E., Greenberg, M. T., Irwin, C. E., Ross, D. A., & Shek, D. T. (April 28, 2012). Worldwide application of prevention science in adolescent health. The Lancet, 379, 9826, 1653-1664.
  6. Olds, David L., Charles R. Henderson Jr, Robert Tatelbaum, and Robert Chamberlin. “Improving the Life-Course Development of Socially Disadvantaged Mothers: A Randomized Trial of Nurse Home Visitation,”American Journal of Public Health, 1988, vol. 88, no. 11, pp. 1436-1444.
  7. Olds, David L., Charles R. Henderson Jr, Robert Chamberlin, and Robert Tatelbaum. “Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect: A Randomized Trial of Nurse Home Visitation,” Pediatrics, July 1986, vol. 78, no. 1, pp. 65-78.
  8. Olds, David L., Charles R. Henderson Jr, Robert Tatelbaum, and Robert Chamberlin. “Improving the Delivery of Prenatal Care and Outcomes of Pregnancy: A Randomized Trial of Nurse Home Visitation,” Pediatrics, January 1986, vol. 77, no. 1, pp. 16-27.
  9. Luckey, Dennis W., David L. Olds, Weiming Zhang, Charles R. Henderson Jr, Michael Knudtson, John Eckenrode, Harriet Kitzman, Robert Cole, and Lisa Pettitt. “Revised Analysis of 15-Year Outcomes in the Elmira Trial of the Nurse-Family Partnership.” Prevention Research Center for Family and Child Health, University of Colorado Department of Pediatrics, 2008.
  10. Eckenrode, John, Mary Campa, Dennis Luckey, Charles Henderson Jr., Robert Cole, Harriet Kitzman, Elizabeth Anson, Kimberly Sidora-Arcoleo, Jane Powers, and David Olds. “Long-term Effects of Prenatal and Infancy Nurse Home Visitation on the Life course of Youths: 19-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Trial.” Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, January 2010,vol. 164, no. 1, pp. 9-15.
  11. Luckey, Dennis W., David L. Olds, Weiming Zhang, Charles R. Henderson Jr, Michael Knudtson, John Eckenrode, Harriet Kitzman, Robert Cole, and Lisa Pettitt. “Revised Analysis of 15-Year Outcomes in the Elmira Trial of the Nurse-Family Partnership.” Prevention Research Center for Family and Child Health, University of Colorado Department of Pediatrics, 2008.
  12. Eckenrode, John, Mary Campa, Dennis Luckey, Charles Henderson Jr., Robert Cole, Harriet Kitzman, Elizabeth Anson, Kimberly Sidora-Arcoleo, Jane Powers, and David Olds. “Long-term Effects of Prenatal and Infancy Nurse Home Visitation on the Life course of Youths: 19-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Trial.” Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, January 2010,vol. 164, no. 1, pp. 9-15.
  13. Kitzman, H., & Olds, D. L. (August 27, 1997). Effect of prenatal and infancy home visitation by nurses on pregnancy outcomes, childhood injuries. Jama: Journal of the American Medical Association, 278, 8.)
  14. Kitzman, H., Olds, D. L., Sidora, K., Henderson, C. R. J., Hanks, C., Cole, R., Luckey, D. W., ... Glazner, J. (January 01, 2000). Enduring effects of nurse home visitation on maternal life course: a 3-year follow-up of a randomized trial. Jama : the Journal of the American Medical Association, 283, 15, 1983-9.
  15. Olds, D. L., Knudtson, M. D., Luckey, D. W., Bondy, J., Stevenson, A. J., Kitzman, H. J., Cole, R. E., ... Arcoleo, K. J. (May 01, 2010). Enduring effects of prenatal and infancy home visiting by nurses on maternal life course and government spending: Follow-up of a randomized trial among children at age 12 years. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 164, 5, 419-424.
  16. Kitzman, H. J., Cole, R. E., Anson, E. A., Olds, D. L., Knudtson, M. D., Holmberg, J. R., Hanks, C. A., ... Henderson, J. C. R. (May 01, 2010). Enduring effects of prenatal and infancy home visiting by nurses on children: Follow-up of a randomized trial among children at age 12 years. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 164, 5, 412-418.
  17. Olds, D. L., Robinson, J. A., O'Brien, R., Luckey, D. W., Pettitt, L. M., Ng, R. K., Sheff, K. L., ... Henderson, J. C. R. (September 01, 2002). Home Visiting by Paraprofessionals and by Nurses: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Pediatrics, 110, 3.)
  18. Olds, D. L., Robinson, J., Pettitt, L., Luckey, D. W., Holmberg, J., Ng, R. K., Isacks, K., ... Henderson, C. R. J. (January 01, 2004). Effects of home visits by paraprofessionals and by nurses: age 4 follow-up results of a randomized trial. Pediatrics, 114, 6, 1560-8.

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