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Practical issues, ethical concerns and future directions in the prevention of alcohol-related problems

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Abstract

This article explores some basic assumptions that underlie the prevention of alcohol-related problems. Using a standard public health definition of prevention, the strategies of health promotion, disease prevention and health protection are explored along several dimensions. These dimensions are problem definition, ways of understanding the problem and ethical principles. The article argues for a broader definition of prevention based on a more holistic approach premised on the tenets of an ethical perspective linked to social justice. A general heuristic model for looking at relevant factors to be considered in the development of prevention research, planning and programming.

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Reference Notes

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Authors
  1. Lawrence Wallack Dr. P.H.
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Additional information

The author is an Assistant Professor at the School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley. He is also Director of the Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. The center, located in Berkeley, is funded by an Alcohol Research Center Grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Requests for reprints should be addressed to Dr. Wallack at the University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720.

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Wallack, L. Practical issues, ethical concerns and future directions in the prevention of alcohol-related problems. J Primary Prevent 4, 199–224 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01324441

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