title: Prevention-centered science in mental health.
abstract: Provides an overview of the Preventive Intervention Research Center (PIRC) Program, and an introduction to the nine papers of a special issue of AJCP. Discusses major problems faced by prevention researchers and ways in which the PIRCs are structured to address some of these problems. Highlights the importance of rigorous prevention experiments as tests of theory, and therefore as critical components of the scientific continuum.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Mental Health, Prevention Research Branch, Rockville, Maryland 20857.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Koretz
mesh_terms: D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D012106:Research