title: Behavioral vaccines and evidence-based kernels: nonpharmaceutical approaches for the prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
abstract: In the United States the rates for some mental, emotional, and behavioral problems (MEBs) have objectively increased over the past 20 to 50 years. The attributes of a public health approach to the treatment of MEBs are defined in this article. Multiple examples of how public health approaches might reduce or prevent MEBs using low-cost evidence-based kernels, which are fundamental units of behavior, are discussed. Such kernels can be used repeatedly, which then act as "behavioral vaccines" to reduce morbidity or mortality and/or improve human wellbeing. The author calls for 6 key policy actions to improve MEBs in young people.
authors.affiliation: PAXIS Institute, Tucson, AZ 85751, USA. dde@paxis.org
authors.forename: Dennis D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Embry
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000379:methods*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015969:National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, U.S., Health and Medicine Division; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States