Promotion, Prevention, and Treatment: What are the Differences?

Abstract

The authors conducted a content analysis of prevention definitions in the general prevention literature. The pros and cons of the traditional trilogy (primary, secondary, and tertiary) of prevention definitions are examined, along with a description of key concepts, such as end-states, timing, targets, and eligibility criteria. The authors propose a conceptual alternative to this prevention trilogy, in favor of one that distinguished among prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.