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date: 18 February 2025

Preventionlocked

Preventionlocked

  • Julie A. CederbaumJulie A. CederbaumUniversity of Southern California
  • , and Abigail M. RossAbigail M. RossUniversity of Pennsylvania

Summary

Disparities in the health and mental health of people are attributable, in part, to the limited attention placed on the systems and structures that contribute to these inequities. This is, in part, due to the ways in which the service professions are set up; more of the work of social workers occurs after a problem has occurred, making it more responsive than preventative. Prevention in social work is critical to meeting the physical and mental health needs of individuals and communities. By moving away from a tertiary approach (one that targets reducing the impact of disease and helps an individual manage complex problems) toward one of primary prevention (preventing the problem before it occurs), social work has the potential to disrupt the influences of health disparities. The Social Work Health Impact Model takes a wide-lens approach to preventing and responding to such vexing problems as closing the health gap, ending homelessness, and reducing extreme economic inequality. Thus, social work can lead prevention efforts that reduce disparities.

Subjects

  • Ethics and Values
  • Health Care and Illness
  • Mental and Behavioral Health
  • Policy and Advocacy

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