As defined in this report, strategies and programs that reduce the likelihood that youths will initiate violent behavior compared to youths in a control group; programs designed to target youths who have not yet become involved in violence or encountered specific risk factors for violence; identifies behavioral, environmental, and biological risk factors associated with violence and takes steps to educate individuals and communities about and protect them from these risks.

A type of intervention in which the goal is to forestall the onset of drug use by an individual who has had little or not previous exposure to them” ( Levinthal, 325).

An intervention option which aims to prevent drug use from occurring at all, or to delay the onset of use. Strategies include education, information, community education through media campaigns and sponsorships, community development initiatives and legislation

Treatment to prevent atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease events in persons who do not have evidence of coronary artery disease.

Programs directed at individuals and a subgroup of the population who do not require treatment for substance abuse. This includes educating and counseling on such abuse and providing for activities that reduce substance abuse and/or use.

Strategies undertaken to limit the incidence of disease or injury by controlling causes and risk factors.

Is concerned with preventing the development of problems that place people at risk of suicide (eg preventing mental disorders or homelessness). Primary prevention can be universally or selectively targeted. Universal strategies target whole populations and include mental health promotion activities that aim to enhance resilience, optimism and the quality of social relationships and environments. Selectively targeted strategies target subgroups in the population that have a higher than average chance of developing risk factors for suicide. Measures that restrict access to means of suicide may be included as primary prevention since they are basically concerned with the quality of environments and are universally targeted.

Primary prevention is preventing cancer before it has developed such as through avoiding carcinogens (e.g., avoiding tobacco, promoting a healthy lifestyle through exercise and diet) or preventing the harmful effects of carcinogens (e.g., using sunscreen), and detecting and removing precancerous lesions (e.g., removing polyps in the colon)

Prevention of disease in healthy people. It is not early detection but rather avoidance of developing disease.

Reduction of the chances of a disease arising, through action on its risk factors or the conditions necessary for its onset.

Activities geared to a sample of the general population to prevent child abuse and neglect from occurring. Also referred to as "universal prevention."

Prevention of the development of CVD in patients who are at high risk of developing disease, but do not have any signs of CVD at present.