Institute of Medicine (IOM) Prevention Classifications
Definition
Categories which identify the population that an intervention’s strategy will reach four classifications:
- Universal direct
- Universal indirect
- Selective
- Indicated
Categories
Universal
An intervention is universal if it is designed to prevent a problem from ever occurring and before any preliminary risk factors are developed; everyone in the population is included in the program regardless of risk
Note: Population may include individuals with higher risk and/or who have already developed the problem, but others who are low-risk and do not have the problem are included as well with no distinction or adaptations for different groups
Universal Direct
Serve the population through interaction
Examples: program implemented in every health class at a junior high, open community parenting group for anyone raising kids
Universal Indirect
Serve the population through behind-the-scenes work
Examples: coalition activities, policy changes, advocacy
Selective
An intervention is selective if the participants have been identified as having higher risk for the problem than the general population; individuals may or may not already have the problem
Examples: homeless youth, low-income single mothers
Indicated
An intervention is indicated if the participants involved are showing early signs of the problem; these types of programs may focus on harm reduction and decreasing risk factors
Examples: students who have been caught smoking cigarettes, adults arrested for their first DUI