IPS / Environmental Prevention

Policy Focused

Environmental Prevention

An "Environmental Prevention" approach works to modify those elements in our social environment that condone or encourage unhealthy and unsafe behaviors.

The environmental prevention model can be illustrated as 5 interlocking ovals. The building blocks of the environmental prevention model (descriptions below) establish an infrastructure that promotes policy solutions and community norm changes.

Rather than addressing public health issues through efforts targeted at individuals, environmental prevention targets the attitudes and values of the community that encourage unhealthy or unsafe behaviors.

Building Blocks of Environmental Prevention

Intentional Organizing

builds support among necessary community members and organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and policy makers by engaging them in creating positive change within their community. Intentional Organizing develops the community leadership necessary to define and support the change process.

Applied Data and Research

identifies the magnitude of the problem and guides intervention planning throughout the campaign. Data collection supports the need for community interventions and can demonstrate change that occurs.

Policy

The policy component provides direction to develop an overall campaign strategy. The policy design is based on statistical information and input from the community.

Media Advocacy

is the critical element that links individual model components into a cohesive whole. Media advocacy raises awareness of the problem on the public agenda, provides a vehicle for high visibility community response, highlights project successes, demonstrates community support, and promotes policy change.

Enforcement

ensures consistent application of new and existing policies.

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