Abstract
Objective The purpose of this paper is
to describe the Spectrum of Prevention, a framework for
developing multifaceted approaches to injury prevention. The value
of the tool is that it can help practitioners develop and structure
comprehensive initiatives.
Methods The Spectrum is comprised of six interrelated
action levels:
(1) strengthening individual knowledge and skills,
(2) promoting community education,
(3) educating providers,
(4) fostering coalitions and networks,
(5) changing organizational practices, and
(6) influencing policy and legislation.
Activities at each of these levels have the potential to support
each other and promote overall community health and safety.
Conclusions The Spectrum of Prevention is a tool that
can help practitioners and policy leaders move beyond a primarily
educational approach to achieve broad community goals through injury
prevention strategies that include policy development. This framework
has been endorsed and applied in a variety of disciplines; however,
it has not been formally evaluated, a process that could clarify the
scope of its effectiveness.
The purpose of this paper is to describe the Spectrum of Prevention,
a tool for developing a multifaceted approach to injury prevention,
and to encourage practitioners to implement comprehensive initiatives.
The tool is comprised of six levels of increasing scope (see Figure
1) beginning with a focus on the individual and family, on community
norms, institutional practices, and finally laws. The Spectrum seeks
to aid practitioners to reduce injuries and their severity by identifying
the need for a systems approach and encouraging an overall strategy
that can result in a whole that is greater than the sum of its
parts.
As Rivara and Mueller point out, until recently
there has been little interest in developing conceptual models for
injury research. The lack of systematic approaches has resulted in
little continuity between studies or in progress toward a better understanding
of the best solutions to the injury problem. The present
haphazard approach must be replaced by more rational andscientific
analysis.
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