prevention research
research directed toward finding interventions to reduce the likelihood of future pathology (e.g., cancer, substance abuse). Such research often concentrates on individuals or populations considered to be particularly at risk of developing a condition, disease, or disorder. It involves one or more of the following: (a) analyzing risk and protective factors and assessing susceptibility; (b) identifying markers for those at risk and developing screening methods; (c) developing and implementing interventions to promote health and prevent pathology; and (d) conducting prevention analysis, the methodological and statistical evaluation of the effects of such interventions.