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Life Span Primary Prevention

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Encyclopedia of Primary Prevention and Health Promotion

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Introduction

Lifespan prevention in adolescence encompasses any initiative that prevents or decreases the severity of the uptake of risky behaviors, such as drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs, smoking cigarettes, participating in bullying or violent acts, or engaging in risky sexual behavior. Adolescence is understood as a time for experimentation; however, research has demonstrated that preventing the initiation of certain risk behaviors or delaying the onset of others is necessary for a young person’s healthy development and transition to adulthood. For example, young people that begin drinking early have a higher rate of later binge drinking, heavy drinking, and alcohol-related problems (Foxcroft & Tsertsvadze, 2011; Spoth, Greenberg, & Turrisi, 2008), including a higher risk of developing physical and mental health problems and engaging in risky sexual activity practices or driving, leading to illness, injuries, or death.

Lifespan prevention also refers to any initiative that...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human & Organizational Development, Vanderbilt University, Peabody College, 220 Appleton Place, Mayborn Building, Nashville, TN, 37203-5721, USA

    Emily A. Fisher

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  1. Emily A. Fisher
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Correspondence to Emily A. Fisher .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut, New London, CT, USA

    Thomas P. Gullotta

  2. University of Connecticut, West Hartford, USA

    Martin Bloom

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Fisher, E.A. (2014). Life Span Primary Prevention. In: Gullotta, T.P., Bloom, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Primary Prevention and Health Promotion. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5999-6_208

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5999-6_208

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