The concept of health promotion and the prevention of adolescent drug abuse

Abstract

A three-dimensional conceptual model for health promotion interventions to prevent adolescent drug abuse is elaborated. The model is based on an analysis of the concept of health into four domains--physical, psychological, social, and personal; an analysis of intervention approaches to change behavior into two major strategies--introducing/strengthening health-enhancing behavior, and weakening/eliminating health-compromising behavior; and an analysis of the foci of interventions into three levels--environmental, personality, and behavior. Components of a specific health promotion program, the Minnesota Heart Health Program, that are designed to prevent adolescent drug abuse are described. These include health behavior campaigns, educational interventions, and community organization. The theoretical content of the components is shown to be linked logically to the health promotion model.