Power of Prevention
Substance misuse doesn’t happen overnight. Depression doesn’t happen overnight.
The key to solving these challenges is stopping them before they begin.
This is the power of prevention.
What is Primary Prevention?
Imagine you have a superhero power to stop bad things from happening before they even start.
That's what primary prevention is all about.
Many social, economic, and environmental factors impact our health. Some people and families are more at risk for health problems because of these factors. Primary prevention looks at these risks and figures out how to protect people from them.
The simplest parts of our communities can make the biggest difference in our health. Things like a community center, a park, access to healthy food, positive relationships with a trusted adult, job opportunities, and access to education about the risks of substance use. These are all primary prevention at work.
These meaningful resources strengthen people and families. They create healthier lives, stronger communities, and a brighter future.
Primary Prevention in Action
You see primary prevention in action every day, probably without even noticing. Even the sidewalks in your neighborhood are an act of prevention. More sidewalks = more mobility = healthier communities.
But you also interact with primary prevention in less obvious ways.
Think of all the challenges young people face. They can face challenges with substance use, sexual activity, and mental health. Giving appropriate skills and opportunities can play a major role in a young person's wellbeing. They need safe places like playgrounds, libraries, and after-school programs. They need positive relationships and a sense of connection.
These are all examples of primary prevention because they give young people a safe space to learn and grow.
Better environments, better outcomes
Our environment plays a big role in our behaviors.
Some neighborhoods have less safe spaces. This can lead people to use substances as a form of escape in a difficult situation. It's not the people, it's the environment.
Colorado's policymakers, state agencies, and nonprofits are working hard to give everyone in our state an environment where they can thrive. That looks like planting trees, putting up street lights, and installing bus shelters.
Providing more resources creates a sense of safety, pride, and hope in our neighborhoods.
Small action creates big change.
Primary prevention works best when everyone in the community gets involved. This means working together to find and address risks in the community. It improves the chances that everyone has an equal opportunity to lead a healthy life.
How can I support primary prevention in my community? So glad you asked!
Your Prevention Power
Share information
Spread the word to help build awareness! The more people who understand the power of prevention, the more we can all start to work toward change.
Stay informed
Connect with your community to find reliable sources to learn about talking to young people about substance use, ways to support safety in local schools, who to contact in case of a mental health crisis, etc.
Get Engaged
Get involved in your community. This might include participating in health education programs, volunteering at a youth community center, or supporting local initiatives to improve safe spaces to play.
Commit to Equity
Noticing and addressing unfair differences in your community is essential for primary prevention. Work with community groups and nonprofits to pursue policies and programs that promote equity in access to health care, education, employment, housing, etc.