A Prevention Agenda for 2020 and Beyond: Why Environmental Interventions Matter Now More Than Ever

Abstract

The next wave of prevention specialists must pay increased attention to the direct and indirect effects of the environment on a variety of health and educational outcomes. As a result, it is critical that environment-focused interventions (including those that target systems/organizations, policy, and natural ecologies) play a more predominant role in a future prevention agenda. Recommendations are made for conceptualizing and evaluating the success of such efforts. Suggestions are also made for the types of training that future prevention professionals will need to be effective at environment-focused and systems-level prevention efforts. Examples of interventions aimed at meeting the needs of underserved populations are offered.