Trauma Prevention

Trauma-related health conditions in the United States is a growing industry—currently $71.6 billion; this makes the argument that an ounce of prevention is worth far more than the best care in the world a convincing one. Given the significant social, economic, and personal costs incurred by traumatic events, trauma prevention should be a high priority. Interventions to prevent the development of psychiatric disorders following psychological trauma may be classified into three categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary prevention includes the selection, preparation, and training of individuals likely to be exposed to potentially traumatizing events. Primary prevention interventions for children are aimed at a broad audience and address the underlying societal causes of maltreatment before disorders develop. Advocating a ban on corporal punishment in schools is ...