by Jack Pransky

This groundbreaking book was the first to translate prevention research into practical application for practitioners in the field. The original book is now revised and updated, as of 2001. Prevention: The Crircal Need defines the wide-ranging, still young field of prevention and explores the factors that contribute to and mediate a host of problem behaviors such as substance abuse, violence, child abuse and neglect, delinquency, teenage pregnancy, teenage suicide, mental-emotional problems, welfare and dependency.    

This book presents a clear framework in easy-to-understand terms that delineates research-based programs and elements that constitute effective prevention practice—from prenatal care to early childhood education to parent education to school improvement to youth development to community change to work-based prevention and much more. The book presents extensive interviews with top preventionists, including Dr. George Albee and Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream.

Other topics include community development, planning for desired results, practical evaluation, marketing prevention, prevention policy development, spirituality as prevention, and more. This book has also been used as a textbook in many colleges and universities. It is "resiliency" in action.

Prevention: The Critical Need was the first book to cite Health Realization as a viable and effective prevention approach

Here is what prevention experts are saying about
"Prevention: The Critical Need"

  "Jack Pransky has produced a monumental book, not only in size, but in content. I commend it to anyone who is genuinely concerned about doing something effective about preventing social problems and mental disorders in this country. This book will establish him among the stars of public health and primary prevention."    

-- George W. Albee, Ph.D.
  Former President, American Psychological Association

"Jack Pransky has done prevention work a tremendous service. He has compiled for the first time a valuable description of prevention work in all of its diversity. The interviews with prevention workers are especially helpful. Prevention deserves to be widely read."

--William A. Lofquist
Author "Discovering the Meaning of Prevention"

"I've known of Jack's work for the past decade and find it to be timely, practical, thoroughly researched and complete. This book is a vital resource for those interested in the area of prevention."

--H. Stephen Glenn
Co-Author "Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World "

Jack Pransky has written an essential primer on prevention. A veritable encyclopedia of theories, information and practical strategies for change. Prevention presents valuable and convincing data for researchers, policy makers and social planners.

In memoriam
--Fay Honey Knopp
Founder, The Safer Society,
Bradford, VT

Burrell Foundation/Paradigm Press (1991). ISBN: 0-943741-02-5

Now available in a second edition (2001) through 1st Books Library Press.
This softcover 8½" x 11" volume contains 45 chapters and over 500 pages. 

     © 2001 Jack Pransky